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Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What is the difference between traditional and non-traditional security? Which category would the creation and sustenance of alliances belong to?

Answer

Traditional Security:
• The traditional notion of security is also concerned with military threats, balance of power and alliance building.
• It is also concerned with internal security.
• In traditional security, there is recognition that co-operation in limiting violence is possible.
• Its main focus is on force only to achieve the target.

Non-Traditional Security:
• Non-traditional notions of security go beyond military threats to include a wide range of threats and dangers affecting the conditions of human existence.
•  It is about the protection of people more than the protection of states.
• It consists of dangers such as terrorism, human rights, global poverty and health epidemics.
• It comprises cooperation, hence it protects human or global security.

Creation and sustenance of alliances belong to traditional notion of security.

Q2. What are the differences in the threats that people in the third world face and those living in the First World face?

Answer

The security challenges facing the newly-independent third world countries and the first world in many ways:
• The newly independent countries faced the military conflicts even with their neighbouring states.
• These countries faced threats not only from outside their borders, mostly from neighbours, but also from within.
• Internally, new states worried about threats from separatist movements which wanted to form independent countries.
• Sometimes, the external and internal threats merged.
• hence for the new states, external wars with neighbours and internal wars posed a serious challenge to their security.

Q3. Is terrorism a traditional or non- traditional threat to security?

Answer

Terrorism is a non-traditional threat to wound the peace and order in the country:
• Terrorism refers to political violence that targets civilians deliberately and indiscriminately.
• Terrorist groups seek to change a political context or condition that they do not like by force or threat of force.
• Civilian targets are usually chosen to terrorise the public and to use the unhappiness of the public as a weapon against national governments or other parties in conflict.
• It involves cases such as hijacking planes or planting bombs in trains, cafes, markets and other crowded places.
• After a terrorist attack on World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001, the other governments and public also are paying more attention to terrorism.

Q4. What are the choices available to a state when its security is threatened, according to traditional security perspective?

Answer

As per traditional security perspective, in responding to the threat of war, a government has three basic choices:
• To surrender when actually confronted by war, but they will not advertise this as the policy of country.
• To prevent the other side from attacking by promising to raise the costs of war to an unacceptable level.
• To defend to protect itself when war actually breaks out so as to deny the attacking country its objectives and to turn back or to defeat the attacking forces altogether

Hence, state’s security policy is to prevent war which is called deterrence and with limiting or heading war called defence.

Q5. What is Balance of Power? How could a state achieve this?
Answer

‘Balance of Power’ is a balance between bigger and smaller countries by cooperating with each other economically and technologically. A smaller country is always suspicious to break out a war from bigger or powerful country. Hence, they maintain a balance of power to build up one’s military power together with economic and technological power-to protect one’s own security.

Q6. What are the objectives of military alliances? Give an example of a functioning military alliance with its specific objectives.

Answer

Military alliance also called ‘Alliance Building’ is an important component of traditional security
policy.An alliance is a coalition of states that coordinate their actions to deter or defend against military attack.

Objectives:

• Most alliances are formalised in written treaties and are based on a fairly clear identification of who constitutes the threat.
• Countries form alliances to increase their effective power relative to another country or alliance.
• Alliances are based on national interests and can change when national interests change.

Example: The US backed the Islamic militants in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union in 1980s, but later attacked them when Al-Qaeda, a group of Islamic militants, led by Osama Bin Laden launched terrorist strikes against America on 11th September 2001.

Q7. Rapid environmental degradation is causing a serious threat to security. Do you agree with the statement? Substantiate your arguments.

Answer

Yes, we do agree with the statement because in some situations one country may have to disproportionately bear the brunt of a global problem i.e. environmental degradation causing a serious threat to security, for example, due to global warming, a sea level rise of 1.5-2.0 meters would flood 20% of Bangladesh, inundate most of Maldives and threaten nearly half the population of Thailand, Hence, international cooperation is vital due to global nature of these problems.

Q8. Nuclear weapons as deterrence or defence have limited usage against contemporary security threats to states. Explain the statement.

Answer

Nuclear weapons have limited usage due to arms-control method of cooperation. One of the arms-control treaty was the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 to regulate the acquisition of nuclear weapons. As per this treaty those countries that had fasted and manufactured nuclear weapons before 1967 were allowed to keep their weapons and those that had not done so were to give up the right to acquire them. The NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons rather it limited the number of countries that could have them.

Q9. Looking at the Indian scenario, what type of security has been given priority in India, traditional or non-traditional? What examples could you cite to substantiate the arguments?

Answer

India has faced traditional (military) and non-traditional threats to its security that have emerged from within as well as outside its borders. Its security strategy has four broad components:

• To strengthen its military capabilities because:
(a) India has been involved in conflict with its neighbours as Pakistan in 1947-48,1965,1971 and 1999 and China in 1962.
(b) In South Asian Region, India is surrounded by nuclear armed countries. Thus, India’s decision to
conduct nuclear tests in 1998 was justified by the Indian government in terms of safeguarding national security. India first tested a nuclear device in 1974.

• To strengthen international norms and international institutions:
(a) India’s first Prime Minister J.L. Nehru supported Asian solidarity, disarmament, decolonisation and the UN as a forum to settle down international conflict.
(b) India took initiatives to bring about a universal and non- discriminatory non-proliferation regime to enjoy some rights and obligations with respect to weapons of mass destruction.
(c) It used non-alignment to help to carve out an area of peace outside the blocs.
(d) India signed Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to be a part of roadmap for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases to check global warming.

• To meet security challenges within the country:
(a) Several militant groups from areas such as Nagaland, Mizoram, Punjab, Kashmir have sought to break away from India.
(b) India makes efforts to preserve national unity by adopting a democratic political system by providing freedom of speech and expression alongwith the right to vote.

• To develop its economy:
(a) India develops the way to lift vast mass of citizens out of poverty, misery and huge economic inequalities.
(b) A democratically elected government is supposed to combine economic growth with human development without any demarcation between the rich and the poor.

Q10. Read the cartoon below and write a short note in favour or against the connection between war and terrorism depicted in this cartoon.

Answer
In this cartoon the relation between war and terrorism has been drawn. It is showing that war is feeding terrorism. It is almost true to identify war with terror as both are counter productive. Terrorist targets civilians deliberately and indiscriminately. Civilian targets are chosen to terrorise the public and to use the unhappiness of the public as a weapon against national governments or other parties in conflict.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What is meant by Security? Mention any four components of Indian security strategy.
Answer: At its most basic, security implies freedom from threats. Human existence and the life of a country are full of threats. We generally say that only those things that threaten ‘core values’ should be regarded as being of interest in discussions of security. Thus, security relates only to extremely dangerous threats — threats that could so endanger core values that those values would be damaged beyond repair if we did not do something to deal with the situation.
India’s security strategy has four broad components which have been used in a varying combination from time to time: (i) The first component was strengthening its military capabilities because India has been involved in conflicts with its neighbours — Pakistan in 1947-48, 1965, 1971 and 1999 and China in 1962. Since it is surrounded by nuclear-armed countries in the South Asian region, India’s decision to conduct nuclear tests in 1998 was justified by the Indian government in terms of safeguarding national security.
(ii) The second component of India’s
security strategy has been to strengthen international norms and international institutions to protect its security interests.
(iii) The third component of Indian security strategy is geared towards meeting security challenges within the country. Several militant groups from areas such as Nagaland, Mizoram, the Punjab and Kashmir among others have from time to time sought to break away from India. India has tried to preserve national unity by adopting a democratic political system.
(iv) There has been an attempt in India to develop its economy in a way that the vast mass of citizens are lifted out of poverty and misery and huge economic inequalities are not allowed to exist.

Q2. Give a comparative analysis of Indian expenditure on traditional and non- traditional security.
Answer: India spends more on traditional security than non-traditional because
(i) India has been involved in conflict with its neighbours as Pakistan in 1947-48, 1965, 1971 and 1999 and China in 1962.
(ii) In South Asian Region, India is surrounded by nuclear armed countries. Hence, India’s decision to conduct nuclear test in 1990 was justified to safeguard national security.
(iii) India’s first tested nuclear device in 1974.
Though India has made efforts to develop its economy and an individual’s security from poverty but still it is lagging behind even now and we are supposed to make more efforts.

Q3. Mention and explain the components and India’s security strategy. 
Answer: India has faced traditional military and non-traditional threats to its security that have emerged from within as well as outside its borders. Its security strategy has four broad components i.e.:
1. To Strengthen its Military Capa¬bilities:
Because:
(a) India has been involved in conflict with its neighbours, as Pakistan in 1947-48,1965,1971 and 1999 and China in 1962.
(b) In South Asian Region, India is surrounded by nuclear armed countries. Hence, India’s decision to conduct nuclear test in 1990 was justified to safeguard national security.
(c) India first tested nuclear device in 1974.
2. To Strengthen International Norms and International Institu¬tions:
(a) India’s first Prime Minister J.L. Nehru supported Asian solidarity, disarmament, decolonisation and the UN as a forum to settle down international conflict.
(b) India took initiatives to bring about a universal and non- discriminatory non-proliferation regime to enjoy same rights and obligations with respect to weapons of mass destruction.
(c) It used non-alignment to help to carve out an area of place outside the blocs.
(d) India signed Kyoto Protocol in 1997 to be a part of roadmap for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases to check global warming.
3. To Meet Security Challenges
within the Country:
(a) Several militant groups from areas such as Nagaland, Mizoram, Punjab, Kashmir have sought to break away from India.
(b) India makes efforts to preserve national unity by adopting a democratic political system by providing freedom of speech and expression alongwith the right to vote.
4. To Develop its Economy:
(a) India develops the way to lift vast mass of citizens out of poverty, misery and huge economic inequalities.
(b) A democratically elected government is supposed to combine economic growth with human development without any demarcation between the rich and the poor.

Q4. Explain the areas of operation of non- traditional notion of security.
Answer: Non-traditional concept of security includes human and global security covering a wide range of threats affecting human existence:
1. It does not cover only the states but
also the individuals and communities also.
2. It emphasises on security on nature of threat and right approach to deal with the threat.
Its sources can be identified as follows:
1. Terrorism refers to political violence to target civilians deliberately and discriminately to use it as a weapon against national government.
2. Human Rights refer to basic conditions which an individual is supposed to enjoy as a human being as political rights, freedom of speech and expression, economic rights, social and civil rights to lead an honourable and dignified life.
3. Global poverty refers to low economic growth, low national income and low standard of living of developing or least developed countries.
4. Health epidemics is a very serious threat to country’s security because severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (ARS), HIV-AIDS, bird flue diseases spread across countries through migration, business, tourism and military operations.

Q5. Write a note on Arms control.
Answer: Arms control regulates the acquisition or development of weapons by adopting following measures:
1. The Anti Ballistic Missiles Treaty in 1992 stopped the US and Soviet Union from using ballistic missiles to limit large scale production.
2. Other arms control treaties were also signed i.e. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty and Nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) to limit the weapons which many bring large scale destruction.
3. NPT regulated the acquisition of nuclear weapons in 1968.
4. NPT did not abolish nuclear weapons rather it limited number of countries that could have them.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What are the functions of Security Council?

Answer

Its main function is to maintain international peace and security in the world. Its other functions are as:• To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction.
• To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
• To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.
• To determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken.
• To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.
• To take military action against an aggressor.
• To recommend the admission of new Members.
• To exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in “strategic areas”.
• To recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.

Q2. As a citizen of India, how would you support India’s candidature for the permanent membership of Security Council? Justify your proposal.

Answer

As a citizen of India, we may support India’s candidature for the permanent membership of Security Council through various reasons:
• India is the second most populous country in the world with one-fifth of world population.
• India is world’s largest democracy.
• India has participated in virtually all of the initiatives of the UN.
• Its role in the UN’s peacekeeping efforts is a long and substantial one.
• India’s economic emergence on the World Stage.
• India is a regular financial contributor to the UN.
• India signifies a growing importance in world affairs in conduct of its foreign policy.

Q3. Critically evaluate the difficulties involved in implementing the suggested reforms to reconstruct the UN.

Answer

There are various difficulties involved in implementing the suggested reforms to reconstruct the UN:
• How big an economic and military power may qualify to become UNSC membership?
• What level of budget contribution should be enabled?
• No guarantee to be effective as Council Member in respect for democracy and human rights.
• Why should the issue of equitable representation decided by geography? Why not by levels of economic development?
• Why not to give more seats to members of developing world?

Q4. Though the UN has failed in preventing wars and related miseries, nations prefer its continuation. What makes the UN an indispensable organisation?

Answer

• The growing connections and links between societies and issues often called ‘interdependence’—it is hard to imagine how more than seven billion people would live together without an organisation such as the UN.
• Technology promises to increase planetary interdependence, and therefore the importance of the UN will only increase.
• To tackle the issues of poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, crime rate etc.
• To provide financial assistance to developing countries to stabilise economy all over the world,, the UN and its specialised agencies are always required.
• The UN works as an international forum to solve any international dispute among nations and sort out the best possible way.

Due to these reasons, though the UN has failed in preventing related wars and miseries, despite the nations require its continuation and helping to promote international peace and understanding.

Q5. “Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council”. Do you agree with this statement? Give arguments for or against this position.

Answer

Yes, we do agree with the statement because Security Council plays a crucial role in functioning of the UN. It represents the and five permanent members and their veto power provide them valuable outstanding position. Permanent members category is mainly from developed economy which should be balanced by enhancing representation from developing countries. Other way through which Security Council to make the UN more effective is inclusion of member states should be judged on the basis of contribution to peace keeping initiatives.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. Describe any six criteria for the new membership of Security Council as suggested after 1997.
Answer: A new member, as suggested after 1997, should beQ
(i ) A major economic power
(ii) A major military power.
(iii) A substantial contributor to the UN budget.
(iv) A big nation in terms of its populations.
(v) A nation that respects democracy and human rights
(vi) A country that would make the Council more representative of the world’s diversity in terms of geography, economic system, and culture.

Q2. Examine the role played by India in the implementation of UN policies and programmes.
Answer: 1. India believes that a strengthened and revitalised UN is desirable in the changing world.
2. India also supports an enhanced role for the UN in promoting development and cooperation among states.
3. India believes that the development
should be central to the UN’s agenda as it is a vital precondition for the maintenance of international peace and security.
4. India debates more representation in Security Council may enjoy greater support in world community.
5. India has major concern about restructuring of UN Security Council.
6. India supports the role of developing countries should be represented in Security Council in decision making.

Q3. How far did the UN perform its role successor fully in maintaining peace in the world? Explain.
Answer: 1. Interdependence and globalisation is not possible without the international organisations such as the UN.
2. To enhance cooperation on the issues of poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, crime rate etc.
3. To provide financial assistance to developing countries to stabilise economy all over the world, the UN and its specialized agencies are always required.
4. The UN works as a forum to solve any international dispute among nations and sort out the best possible.
5. Hence, though the UN has failed in preventing any related wars and miseries, despite the nations require its continuation due to above mentioned reasons to promote international peace and understanding.

Q4. Suggest any six steps since 2005 to make the United Nations more relevant in the changing context.
Answer: In September 2005, the UN celebrated its 60th anniversary and leaders decided to make it more relevant in the changing context by following steps:
1. Creation of Peace Building Commission.
2. Acceptance of the responsibility of the international community in case of failures of national governments to protect their own citizens from atrocities.
3. Establishment of a Human Rights Council (Operational Since 19 June 2006).
4. Agreements to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
5. Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
6. Creation of a Democracy Fund.
7. An agreement to wind up the Trusteeship Council.

Q5. Can the UN serve as a balance against the US dominance?
Answer: No, the UN can not serve against the US dominance in a comfort zone because:
1. The US has been the only superpower after 1991 and may ignore international organisations economically and militarily.
2. Its veto power can stop any move damaging its interests.
3. The US enjoys a considerable degree of say in the selection of the UN Secretary General.
Besides the above mentioned grounds, the UN is playing an effective role to argument against the US attitudes and policies and makes compromises and concessions even or the part of the US. The EU performs as an important bloc in International Economic Organisations such as WTO but SAARC has initiated SAFTA only to cooperate economically among its member states.

Short Answer Type Questions :

Q1. What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?

Answer

Commonalities
• Both Bangladesh and Pakistan were under a military rule.
• At both the places, the struggle for democracy took place in their own way.
• Pakistan’s administration began under the command of General Ayub Khan and gave up due to dissatisfaction among people giving way to Yahya’s military rule and continued with the army rule though elections were held by military rulers to give a democratic shape to their own rule.
• In the same way, Bangladesh drafted its own constitution to begin with democracy. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formed presidential setup by abolishing all the parties except Awami Legue. But after his assassination the new military ruler Zia-ur-Rahman formed his own party and won elections in 1979. Later on he was also assassinated and another military leader Lt. Gen. H.M. Ershad took over.

Differences
• In Pakistan, military, clergy and land-owning aristocrats dominated socially to overthrow elected government whereas in Bangladesh the leaders and their party members dominated for the same.
• Pro-military groups have become more powerful due to conflict with India in Pakistan whereas in Bangladesh, pro-military groups are powerful due to friendship and encouragement of India.

Q2. List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.

Answer

The three challenges to democracy in Nepal were the result of a triangular conflict between-
• the monarchist forces
• the democrats and
• the Maoists.
These challenges created massive, countrywide, pro-democracy protest in April 2006.

Q3. Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict?

Answer

The principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka were Sinhala and Sri Lankan Tamils.
After its independence, politics in Sri Lanka was dominated by forces that represented the interest of the majority Sinhala community. They were hostile to a large number of Tamils who had migrated from India to Sri Lanka and settled there. Sinhalese presumed Sri Lanka to be belonged to them only, hence no concession should be given to Tamils. This created militant Tamil nationalism i. e. ‘Ethnic conflict’.

In spite of the conflict, Sri Lanka has registered considerable economic growth and recorded high levels of human development. Sri Lanka was one of the first developing countries to successfully control the rate of growth of population, the first country in the region to liberalise the economy, and it has had the highest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) for many years right through the civil war. Despite the ravages of internal conflict, it has maintained a democratic political system.

Q4. Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well in their way to a friendly relationship?

Answer
Although Indo-Pakistan relations seem to be the story of endemic conflict and violence, there have been a series of efforts to manage tensions and build peace under the various agreements:
• Agreed to undertake confidence building measures to reduce the risk of war.
• Social activists and prominent personalities have collaborated to create an atmosphere of friendship.
• Leaders have met at summits to better understanding.
• Bus routes have been opened up between these two countries.
• Trade between the two parts of Punjab has increased substantially in the last five years.
• Visas have been given more easily.

No, despite the above mentioned agreements and initiatives, we can not be sure that both the countries are well in their way to friendship, still some areas of conflict exist there to be sorted out.

Q5. Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.

Answer

Disagreement
• Differences over the sharing of the Ganga and Brahmaputra river waters.
• Illegal immigration to India.
• Refusal to allow Indian troops to move through its territory.
• Not to export natural gas to India.

Cooperation
• Economic relations have been improved considerably within last ten years.
• Bangladesh is the part of India’s ‘Look East’ policy to link up with southeast Asia via Myanmar.
• Cooperated on the issues of disaster management and environment.
• Cooperation on identifying common threats and being more sensitive to each other’s needs.

Q6.. How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.

Answer

The external powers influence bilateral relations in South Asia because no region exists in the vacuum. It is influenced by outside powers and events no matter how much it may try to insulate itself from non-regional powers:

• China and the US remain key players in South Asian politics.

• Sino-Indian relations have improved significantly in the last ten years, but China’s strategic partnership with Pakistan remains a major irritant.

• The demands of development and globalisation have brought the two Asian giants closer and their economic ties have multiplied rapidly since 1991.

• The US enjoys good relations with both India and Pakistan and works as a moderator in Indo-Pak relations.

• Economic reforms and liberal economic policies in both the countries have increased the depth of American participation.

• The large South Asian economy remains in the US and the huge size of population and markets of the region give America an added stake in the future of regional security and peace.

Q7. Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian Countries.

Answer

Role of SAARC:
• ‘South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation’ (SAARC) is a regional initiative among South Asian states to evolve cooperation since 1985 onwards.
• It consists of seven members to encourage mutual harmony and understanding.
• SAARC has initiated SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) to free trade zones for wThole south Asia for collective economic security.
• SAARC has projected on economic development of its member states to reduce their dependencies on the non-regional powers.

Limitations:
SAARC is growing slowly due to political differences among its member states:
• Only the conflicts led to bilateral issues as Kashmir problem between India and Pak.
• Some of the India’s neighbours fear that India intends to dominate them by influencing their societies and politics.
• SAARC members are from among the developing or least developing countries which creates insufficiency of funds.

Q8. India’s neighbours often think that the Indian government tries to dominate and interfere in the domestic affairs of the smaller countries of the region. Is this a correct impression?
Answer

No, the impression is not correct because India has various problems with its smaller neighbours in the region. Given its size and power, they are bound to be suspicious of India’s intentions.
• The Indian government, on the other hand, often feels exploited by its neighbours.
• India does not like the political instability in these countries, fearing it can help outside powers to gain influence in the region.
• The smaller countries fear that India wants to be a regionally-dominant power but it not justified as major conflicts and differences, though, are between India and the others, partly because of the geography of the region, in which India is located centrally and is therefore the only country that borders the others.

The is upto the government and people of smaller neighbouring countries than any other outside power about the dominance and interference of Indian government.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. Assess the positive and negative aspects of India’s relations with Bangladesh.
Answer: Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971. It consisted of the partitioned areas of Bengal and Assam from British India. The people of this region resented the domination of Western Pakistan and the imposition of Urdu language. Soon after the partition, they began protests against the unfair treatment meted out to the Bengali culture and language. They demanded autonomy for the eastern region. But the government dominated by the West Pakistan leadership refused their demand. The Pakistan army tried to suppress the mass movement of the Bengali people. Thousands were killed by the Pakistan army. This led a large scale migration into India, creating a huge refugee problem for India. The government of India supported the demand of the people of East Pakistan for their independence and helped them financially and militarily. This resulted in a war between India and Pakistan in December 1971 that ended in surrender of the Pakistan forces in East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh as an independent country.

Q2. How is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) a major regional initiative by South Asian States to evolve co-operation through multilateral means? Assess.
Answer: Role of SAARC:
Role of SAARC can be identified in the following ways:
1. ‘South Asia Association for Regional Co-operation’ (SAARC) is a regional initiative among South Asian States to evolve cooperation since 1985 onwards.
2. It consists of seven members to encourage mutual harmony and understanding.
3. SAARC has initiated SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) to form free trade zones for whole South Asia for collective economic security.
4. SAARC has projected economic development of its member states to reduce their dependencies on the non-regional powers.
South Asian free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) was signed by SAARC members in 2004 with the following features:
1. Formation of free trade zone for whole South Asia.
2. To lower trade tarrifs by 20%.
3. To sustain mutual trade and cooperation among SAARC members.

Q3. Like India why could democracy not take roots in Pakistan despite the fact that both the countries share a common part?
Or
Explain the factors responsible for Pak’s failure in building a stable democracy.
Or
Describe any two pro-democracy factors present in Pakistan which can pave the way for establishing a lasting democratic setup over there?
Or
“Since 1947 Pakistan has been experimenting with democratic system and the military rule”. In the light of above statement explain any two reasons why democratic system has not been stable there?
Answer: The following factors are responsible for Pakistan’s failure in building a stable democracy:
1. The lack of genuine international support for a democratic rule in Pakistan has encouraged to military to continue its dominance. The US and other countries have also supported military rule due to fulfilling their own interests.
2. Pakistan’s conflict with India has made paramilitary groups more powerful which have often said that political parties and democracy in Pakistan are flawed, that Pakistan’s security would be harmed by selfish minded parties and chaotic democracy, hence army stay in power is justified.
3. The social dominance of military, clergy, and owning aristocracy has led to frequent overthrow of elected governments and the establishing of military governments.
4. Global Islamic Terrorism and their apprehension that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal might fall into hands
of these terrorist groups, the military regime in Pakistan was seen as the protector of western interests in West Asia and South Asia.
The two pro-democracy factors present in Pakistan that can pave the way for establishing a lasting democratic set up over there are:
1. Pakistan bears a courageous and entirely free press.
2. Pakistan enjoys strong human rights movement.

Q4. What are the major differences between SAARC and European Union as an alternative centres of poor?
Answer: 1. The European Union bears economic political-diplomatic and military influence all over the region and its closest neighbours whereas SAARC is limited towards its South Asian Region only.
2. The member states of European Union are maximum from among the developed countries while SAARC members are from among least developed countries (LOCs)
3. The EU behaves like a nation state by having its own anthem and currency but SARRC does not enjoy these.
4. The EU performance as an important bloc in international economic organisations such as WTO but SAARC has initiated SAFTA only to cooperate economically among its member states.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What are the objectives of establishing regional organizations?

Answer

The regional organizations are established with the following objectives:
• To accelerate economic growth and through that ‘social progress and cultural development’.To make regional development at par the fast-growing global economy.
• To promote regional peace and stability based on the rule of law.
• To make regional development at par the fast-growing global economy.

Q2. How does geographical proximity influence the formation of regional organizations?

Answer

The geographical proximity influences the formation of regional organizations because:
• It is influenced by almost some historical enmities and weaknesses.
• Sometimes the similar interests come together.
• Even fruitful areas for the regional economy are also the result of geographical proximity.

Q3. What are the components of the ASEAN Vision 2020?

Answer

The components of ASEAN Vision 2020 are:
• An outward looking role in the international community.
• To encourage negotiations over conflicts in tie region.
•  Thus, ASEAN has mediated the end of the Cambodian conflict, the East Timor crisis, and meets annually to discuss East Asian cooperation.

Q4. Name the pillars aid objectives of ASEAN community.

Answer

The ASEAN community established the following three pillars:
• The ASEAN Security Community
• The ASEAN Economic Community
• The ASEAN Socio-cultural Community.

The objectives of the ASEAN community are:
• Territorial disputes should not escalate into armed confrontations.
• To accelerate economic growth through social progress and cultural development.
• To promote regional peace and stability based on the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
• To establish a dispute settlement mechanism to resolve economic disputes.
• To create Free Trade Areas for investments, labor and services.

Q5. In what ways does the present Chinese economy differ from its command economy?

Answer

• Chinese opened their economy step by step. This helped the Chinese economy to break from stagnation.
• Privatisation of agriculture led to a remarkable rise in agricultural production and rural incomes.
• The present Chinese economy established new trading laws and created Special Economic Zones leading the higher rise in foreign trade. During Command economy the international trade was minimal and per capita income was very low.

Q6. How did the European countries resolve their Post Second World War problem? Briefly outline the attempts that led to the formation of the European Union.

Answer

After the end of the Second World War, the European States confronted the ruin of their economies and the destruction of assumptions and structures on which Europe had been founded. European countries resolved their Post Second World War problems in the following ways:
• Under the ‘Marshall Plan’ the USA provided financial help to revive the European economy.
• The US also created a new collective security structure under NATO.• Under the ‘Marshall Plan,’ the organization for European Economic Cooperation was established in 1948 to extend cooperation on trade and economic issues among the Western European States.
• European Union was founded in 1992 for a common foreign and security policy, cooperation on justice and home affairs and creation of a single currency. It evolved from an economic union to political one over time.

The following attempts led to the formation of the European Union:
• The Council of Europe was established in 1949 for political cooperation.
• The process of economic integration of European Capitalist countries led to the formation of the European Economic Community in 1957.
• The above-mentioned processes acquired a political dimension with the creation of the European Parliament.
• The collapse of Soviet bloc put Europe on a fast track and resulted in the establishment of the European Union in 1992.

Q7. What makes the European Union a highly influential regional organization?

Answer

As a supernational organization, the European Union bears economic, political diplomacy and military influence as a regional organization in the following manner:

• Economic Influence:
(а) Three times larger share in world trade than the US.
(b) Its currency Euro can pose a threat to the dominance of the US dollar.
(c) The EU functions as an important bloc in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

• Political and Diplomatic Influences:
(a) Two members of the EU, Britain, and France hold permanent seats in the Security Council to influence the UN policies.
(b) The EU also includes various non-permanent members of the UNSC.
(c) The European Union play an influential role in diplomacy and negotiations except for the military force i.e. the EU’s dialogue with China on human rights and environmental degradation is remarkable.

• Military Influence:
(a) The EU’s combined armed fo^fees are second largest in the world.
(b) Its total expenditure on the military is second to the US.
(c) Its two important members— Britain and France also experience nuclear ascends of 550 nuclear warheads.
(d) The EU is the world’s second most important source of space and communications technology.

Q8. The emerging economies of China and India have great potential to challenge the unipolar world. Do you agree with the statement? Substantiate your arguments.

Answer

The Indo-China relations experience strategically organized as rising economic powers in global politics and to play a major role in the Asian economy after the end of the Cold War. It can be proved on the following grounds:
• The new economic policies of India and China have broken their economy from stagnancy.
• The creation of special economic zones led to a phenomenal rise in foreign trade.
• China has become the most important destination for foreign direct investment anywhere in the world. Hence, it has large reserves for foreign exchange to allow it to make a big investment in other countries.
• At the global level also, India and China have adopted similar policies in the World Trade Organisation to deepen integration with the world economy to challenge the unipolar world.

Q9. The peace and prosperity of countries lay in the establishment and strengthening of regional economic organizations. Justify this statement.

Answer

This statement represents the ASEAN Regional Forum and the European Union, where ASEAN Regional Forum is based on the notion not to escalate territorial disputes into an armed confrontation:

• The ASEAN is rapidly growing as a regional organization with the Vision 2020 including an outward-looking role in the international community and to encourage negotiations over conflicts in the region.

• ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) maintains coordination of security and foreign policy.

• The EU has also been funded on the ground of common foreign and security policy, cooperation on justice and home affairs.

• The European Union has also extended cooperation while acquiring new members, especially from Soviet bloc.

Q10. Identify the contentious issues between China and India. How could these be resolved for greater cooperation? Give your suggestions.

Answer

The relations with China experience friendly gestures from India as India signed popular ‘Panchsheel’ to develop Indo-China relations in 1954 and advocated China’s membership to the United Nations. Still, after 1957, various contentious issues arose in Indo-China relations:

• In 1962, military conflict over a border dispute of MacMohan Line resulted on the unwarranted claim by China which now lie in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin region of Ladakh.

• Differences arose from Chinese take over of Tibet in 1950 which was protested by India against China.

• After Panchsheel, attack by China on India in 1962, to occupy larger territories of India, created humiliation.

• China’s assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear programme also created differences.

• China’s military relations with Bangladesh and Myanmar were viewed as hostile to Indian interests.

 All the above differences could be resolved for greater cooperation:

• Both the countries should make some more efforts to revive the harmonious attitude between themselves.

• Both the countries should move hand-in-hand to fight against terrorism, nuclear race and economic disparities.

• Both countries should develop understanding and respect.

• Hence, both of them have signed agreements on cultural exchange and cooperation in science and technology.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. How did China rise to be an economic superpower? Assess.
Answer: China had adopted Soviet model of economy. Despite development, China faced economic crisis as industrial production was not growing fast, international trade was minimal. Under these situations some major policy decisions were taken-
1. China established relations with the US in 1972.
2. China proposed four areas of modernisation as agriculture, industry, science and technology in 1973.
3. Open door policy was introduced to generate higher productivity by investment of capital and technology from abroad.
4. Privatisation of agriculture and industry in 1982 and 1998.
5. China set Special Economic Zones to remove trade barriers.
6. The integration of Chinese economy and inter-dependencies has enabled China to have considerable influence with its trade partners.
7. The open door policy has stabilised the ASEAN economy.
8. China’s outward looking for investment and aid policies in Latin America and Africa are projecting China as a global player.

Q2. Why is the EU considered a highly influential regional organisation in the economic, political and military fields?
Answer: Because-
1. Economic Influence:
(a) Three times larger share in World trade than the US.
(b) Its currency Euro can pose a threat to the dominance of US Dollar.
(c) The EU functions as an important bloc in World Trade Organisation (WTO).
2. Political Influence:
(а) Two members of the EU, Britain and France hold permanent seats in Security Council to influence UN policies.
(b) The EU also includes various non-permanent members of UNSC.
(c) The European Union plays an influential role in diplomacy and negotiations except military force i.e. EU’s dialogue with China on Human Rights and environmental degradation is remarkable.
3. Military Influence:
(a) The EU’s combined armed forces are second largest in world.
(b) Its total military expenditure is second to the US.
(c) Its two important members— Britain and France also experience nuclear arsenals of 550 nuclear warheads.
(d) The EU is world’s second most important source of space and communication technology.

Q3. Discuss Indo-China relations.
Answer: The relations with China experienced friendly gestures from India as India signed popular ‘Panchsheel’ to develop Indo-China relations in 1954 and advocated China’s membership to the United Nations still, after 1957, various contentious issues arose in Indo-China relations-
1. In 1962, military conflict over a border dispute of MacMohan Line resulted an unwarranted claim by China which lies now in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin regions of Ladakh.
2. Differences arose from Chinese take over of Tibet in 1950 which was protested by India against China.
3. After Panchsheel, attack by China on India in 1962, to occupy larger territories of India, created a humiliation.
4. China’s assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear programme also created differences.
5. China’s military relations with Bangladesh and Myanmar were viewed as hostile to Indian interests.
All the above mentioned differences/ disputes could be resolved for greater cooperation.
1. Both the countries should make some more efforts to revive harmonious attitude between themselves.
2. Both the countries should move hand-in-hand to fight against terrorism, nuclear race and economic disparities.
3. Both the countries should develop mutual understanding and respect.
4. Hence, both of them have signed agreements on cultural exchange and cooperation in science and technology.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Q1. Give an example each of the three types of hegemony that are dealt within the chapter. Do not cite examples that are in the chapter.

Answer

• Hegemony as Hard Power: Afiya was an artist living in Mozambique who was doing well in her studies and was planning to study medicine in university. But she lost her leg in 2003 missile attack by the US. After she overcame it, she still plans to become a doctor, but only after the foreign armies leave her country.

• Hegemony as Structural Power: Kungawo, a very good artist who lives in Durban, South Africa. His paintings are heavily influenced by traditional tribal art forms and wants to go to art school
and later open his own studio. But his father wants him to do engineering in computer science due to flair for job opportunities in the same.

• Hegemony as Soft Power: Oliver is a young and energetic man of New Zealand. Her parents are immigrants from Russia. His father gets upset when he puts on black shirt with white jeans while he goes to church. He justifies that black colour signifies protest for freedom and white signifies freedom in a peaceful manner

Q2. Mention three ways in which US dominance since the Cold War is different from its position as a superpower during the Cold War.

Answer

• During Cold War, the US found it difficult to win over the Soviet Union as hard power due to retaliating capacity of the Soviet Union and to protest world from large scale destruction. But in the areas of structural and soft power, the US dominated.

• During Cold War years, the Soviet Union provided an alternate model of socialist economy to maximise welfare of states. Still the world economy throughout the Cold War years adapted capitalist economy under the US.

• In the area of soft power, the US became triumphant. As the example of blue jeans shows that the US could engineer a generational gap even in Soviet Society on culture basis.

Q3. Match the following:

i. Operation Infinite Reach	a. War against Al-Qaeda and Taliban
ii. Operation Enduring Freedom	b. Coalition of the willing
iii. Operation Desert Storm	c. Missile attack in Sudan
iv. Operation Iraqi Freedom	d. First Gulf War

Answer

i. Operation Infinite Reach	c. Missile attack in Sudan
ii. Operation Enduring Freedom	a. War against Al-Qaeda and Taliban
iii. Operation Desert Storm	d. First Gulf War
iv. Operation Iraqi Freedom	b. Coalition of the willing

Q4. What are the constraints on American hegemony today? Which one of these do you expect to get more important in the future?
Answer

“We can identify three constraints on American Power” which were actually not in operation in the years following 9/11. Hence the US could establish its hegemony. Recently all these constraints are slowly beginning to operate in the following ways:

• The US bears institutional architecture in the American State itself. It refers division of powers between the three branches of government where American military’s executive branch can place significant brakes upon the unrestrained and immoderate exercise.

• The second constraint on American hegemony emerges from open nature of American society. American society and suffering from a deep skepticism towards purposes and methods of government in America despite an imposition of particular perspectives on domestic opinion in the US. This is a huge constraint on US military action overseas.

• The third constraint on US hegemony is the possession of NATO to moderate the exercise of the US hegemony today. The US has an enormous interest in keeping the alliance of democracies to follow the market economies alive and it may be possible to its allies in NATO to moderate the exercise of the US hegemony through their own liberal policies to fulfill their own ends.

Q5. Read the three extracts in the chapter from Lok Sabha debate on the Indo-US deal. Develop any one of these into a full speech defending a certain position on Indo-US relations.
Answer

The following speech has been developed based on the excerpts from Lok Sabha debate as presented by Major General (Retired) B.C. Khanduri of BJP:

Sir, I would respectfully draw the attention of august house towards the US hegemony in today’s scenario. But we should not ignore the fact that India might be next waiting in the wings to perform as a superpower to maintain its own identity. Moreover, hegemony can not stand forever due to its weaknesses. Therefore, we are supposed to have a good and harmonious relations with that of the US for mutual promotion of trade and technology. But India should not compromise from the same on the cost of its own security and identity.
Hence, India should work in a diplomatic manner while it thinks to go hand-in¬hand the US in such a manner that India could extract best benefits from the US hegemony and find out mutual options for itself.
Thanks.

Q6. “If big and resourceful states cannot resist the US hegemony, it is unrealistic to expect much smaller and weaker non-state actors to offer any resistance”. Examine this proposition and give your opinion.
Answer

This proposition focuses only on, the powers of the state and believes that only big and resourceful states can challenge the US hegemony which it approaches right in a practical manner, but if we think deeply these are thoughts and pens of writers, expressions of artists, media and intellectuals who have no boundaries including hegemony itself to be criticised and resisted in the form of non-government organisations (NGOs), social movements and public opinion. Hence, non-state actors may challenge the US hegemony also in their own way and it can work out also

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. Examine any three factors responsible for the US hegemony in the world politics.
Answer: Three factors responsible for the US hegemony in the world politics are
(i) The US power lies in the overwhelming superiority of its military power. American military dominance today is both absolute and relative. In absolute terms, the US today has military capabilities that can reach any point on the planet accurately, lethally and in real time, thereby crippling the adversary while its own forces are sheltered to the maximum extent possible from the dangers of war.
(ii) No other power today can remotely match them. The US today spends
more on its military capability than the next 12 powers combined. Further more, a large chunk of the Pentagon’s budget goes into military research and development, or, in other words, technology. Thus, the military dominance of the US is not just based on higher military spending, but on a qualitative gap, a technological chasm that no other power can at present conceivably span.
(iii) The US invasion of Iraq shows that the American capacity to conquer is formidable. Similarly the US capability to deter and to punish is self-evident. More than forty countries joined in the US-led ‘coalition of the willing’ after the UN refused to give its mandate to theinvasion. Thus, no country can deny the US superiority in the world politics.

Q2. Explain the three types of US hegemony and give examples for each.
Answer: GO Hegemony as Hard Power:
(a) This hegemony signifies military status of America to be both absolute and relative. In absolute terms, it has military capabilities to reach any point on the Planet accurately and no other power today can remotely match them.
(b) The US military dominance is based on both the higher military expenditure and on a qualitative gap i.e. technological know-how.
(ii) Hegemony as Structural Power:
(a) It signifies ‘Economic Prospects’ of hegemon power to possess both the ability and the desire to establish certain norms for order and sustain global structure even including goods to be consumed by one person without reducing the amount of goods available for someone else.
(b) A classical example is academic
degree MBA (Masters in Business Administration) to presume business as a profession to be dependent upon skills that can be taught in a University which is uniquely American.
(iii) Hegemony as Soft Power:
(a) US Hegemony has its cultural dimensions also which implies class ascendancy in social, political and particularly ideological spheres to shape the behaviour of competing and lesser powers.Here, the consent goes hand in and more effective than coercion.
(b) For example, most of the dreams of individuals and societies across the globe, are dreams churned out by practices prevailing in twentieth—century America. All these are about the capacity to manufacture consent.

Q3. What are different natures of hegemony? Explain.
Answer: Hegemony is an international system to dominate world by only one superpower. The natures of hegemony can be found out as follows:
(i) Hegemony as Hard Power:
(a) It is based on the military capability between the states.
(b) The US military dominance is based on their higher expenditures on military as well as the technological know-how.
(c) The US bears military dominance in both the terms i.e. absolute and relative. In absolute terms the US military capabilities can reach any point on the planet and no other power can be a match to them.
(ii) Hegemony as Structural Power:
(a) It is based on economic factors of the world dominated by the hegemonic power.
(b) Hegemony must sustain global structure to establish certain norms for order and the US has set up Bretton Woods System.
(c) The US hegemony has provided the global public goods to be consumed by one person without reducing the amount available for someone else as SLoCs and the Internet, MBA degree.
(iii) Hegemony as Soft Power:
(a) To dominate world even in reference of cultural dimensions i.e. class ascendancy in social, political and ideological spheres.
(b) The US hegemony has the capacity to create ‘manufacturing consent’ by the class to be dominated by the hegemon.
(c) The ‘blue jeans’ from the US is capable to engineer even a generational divide.

Q4. How can the US hegemony be checked?
Or
How long will hegemony last? How do we get beyond hegemony?
Answer: (i) The US hegemony has been symbolised as the global village and other countries as its neighbours.
(ii) If the headman of global village becomes intolerable, neighbours do not have any choice of leaving it, but develop a resistant.
(iii) Though there are some rules and norms called laws of war that restrict but do not prohibit war.
(iv) No single power can challenge the US militarily.
Still, to overcome the US hegemony, the following strategies have been found out: (a) Bandwagon strategy emphasises not to oppose hegemonic power, instead take advantage of opportunities that hegemon creates i.e. increased trade and technology transfer and investments to extract benefits by operating within hegemonic system. (.b) To hide strategy implies to stay as far removed from the dominant power as possible as China, Russia and the European Union. This strategy is applicable to small states but states may not be able to hide for substantial length of time.
(c) Non-state actors as writers, artists and intellectuals have no boundaries to work with. They can reach beyond the limits of the states to mould the minds of people through their expressions.

Q5. What is meant by Operation Iraqi Freedom? Mention its main and hidden objectives. Give any two consequences of this operation.
Answer: Operation Iraqi Freedom was the code name given by the US to launch invasion on 19 March 2003. More than 40 countries joined in the US led coalition of the willing after the UN refused to give its mandate to the invasion.
Main Objective: To prevent Iraq from developing Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD). Since no evidence of WMD has been unearthed in Iraq. Hidden Objective: It was motivated by controlling Iraqi Oilfields and installing a regime friendly to the US. Consequences of this Operation
1. Although the government of Saddam Hussein fell swiftly but US has not been able to pacify Iraq.
2. A fully fledged insurgency against US occupation was ignited in. Iraq.
3. Conservatively estimated that 50,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the US-led invasion.
4. It is widely recognised that the US invasion of Iraq was, in some crucial respects, both a military and political failure.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION:

Q1. Mention any three features that distinguish the Soviet economy from that of a capitalist country like the US.
Answer

The three features that distinguish the Soviet economy from that of a capitalist country like the US were:
• Soviet economy had a complex communications network, vast energy resources including oil, iron and steel, machinery production, and a transport sector that connected its remotest areas with efficiency.
• Soviet Union had a domestic consumer industry that produced everything from pins to cars, though their quality did not match that of the Western capitalist countries.
• The Soviet state ensured a minimum standard of living for all citizens, and the government subsidised basic necessities including health, education, childcare and other welfare schemes.

Q2. What were the factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR?
Answer

Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of Communist Party of Soviet Union in 1985. He was forced to initiate the reforms in the USSR due to following reasons:
• To keep the USSR abreast of information and technological revolutions at par the West.
• To normalise the relations with that of the West.
• To democratise the Soviet System.
• To loosen the administrative system which exempted ordinary people from the privileges.

Q3. What were the major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India?
Answer

The major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India were:
• It meant the end of Cold War confrontations. The ideological dispute over whether the socialist system would beat the capitalist system was not an issue any more. The end of the confrontation led an end to arms race and a possible new peace.

• The disintegration of the Soviet Union led to emergence of multipolar system. The end of the Cold War left open only two possibilities: either the remaining superpower would dominate and create a
unipolar system, or different countries or groups of countries could become important players in
the international system, thereby bringing in a multipolar system where no one power could
dominate. As it turned out, the US became the sole superpower thus, the capitalist economy was now the dominant economic system internationally. Institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund became powerful advisors to all these countries since they gave them loans for their transitions to capitalism. Politically, the notion of liberal democracy emerged as the best way to organise political life.

• The end of the Soviet bloc meant the emergence of many new countries. All these countries had
their own independent aspirations and choices. Some of them, especially the Baltic and east European states, wanted to join the European Union and become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

• The Central Asian countries wanted to take advantage of their geographical location and continue their close ties with Russia and also to establish ties with the West, the US, China and others. Thus, the international system saw many new players emerge, each with its own identity, interests, and economic and political difficulties.

Q4. What was Shock Therapy? Was this the best way to make a transition from communism to capitalism?

Answer

Shock Therapy was a painful process of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system. This transformation system was influenced by the world bank and the IMF in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe. Though it varies in intensity and speed amongst the former second world countries but its direction and features were quite similar.This was not the best way to make a transition from communism to capitalism due to following limitations:
• Russia, the large state controlled industrial complex lost about 90 per cent of its industries through sales to private individuals and companies.
• It created “the largest garage sale in history” which led virtual disappearance of entire industries for the restructuring was carried out by market forces in place of government owned policies. Hence, industries were undervalued and sold at throwaway prices.
• It systematically destroyed old system of social welfare.
• The value of ‘ruble’, the Russian currency, declined dramatically due to high rate of inflation and real GDP of Russia also declined between 1989 to 1999.
• The withdrawal of government subsidies pushed large sections of society into poverty and it emerged mafia to start controlling many economic activities.
• Privatisation led to new disparities which divided Russia between rich and poor people creating economic inequality.
• Hence, Shock Therapy brought ruin to economies and disaster upon the people of entire region.

Q5. Write an essay for or against the following proposition. “With the disintegration of the second world, India should change its foreign policy and focus more on friendship with the US rather than with traditional friends like Russia”.

Answer
India should not change its foreign policy and focus more on friendship with US, but India is required to maintain healthy relations with Russia because Indo-Russian relations are embedded in a history of trust and common interests and are matched by popular perceptions.

Russia and India share a vision of a multipolar world order i.e. co-existence of several world powers internationally, collective security, greater regionalism, democratisation with the decision-making through bodies like the UN. More than 80 bilateral agreements have been experienced between India and Russia as a part of the Indo- Russia Strategic Agreement of 2001.

India has been benefitted from its relationship on the issues like Kashmir, energy supplies, sharing information on international terrorism, access to Central Asia and balancing its relation with China. Russia is also important for India’s nuclear energy plane and assisting India’s space industry by giving cryogenic rocket to India whenever needed. Co-operation with Russia and its republics like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan in the form of partnership and investment in oil fields has also benefitted India.
Russia is also benefitted from India on ground of the second largest arms market for Russia. Indian military gets most of its hardware from Russia. Russia and India have collaborated on various scientific projects also.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Q1. What was Soviet system? Assess any four features of Soviet system.
Answer:  Soviet system was introduced after Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917. It was based on the principle of egalitarian society and planned economy controlled by the state. Its four features can be summed up in the following ways:
1. The Soviet system ensured a minimum standard of living for its citizens.
2. The government subsidised basic necessities including health,education, childcare and other welfare schemes.
3. There was no unemployment in the Soviet system.
4. State ownership was the dominant owned and controlled by the Soviet state.

Q2. Explain six factors which helped Soviet Union becoming superpower after Second World War.
Answer:  The following factors helped Soviet Union becoming superpower after Second World War:
1. The east European countries the Soviet army had liberated from the fascist forces came under the control of the USSR.
2. The political and economic systems of all these countries were modelled after the USSR and collectively were called the second world.
3. The WARSAW PACT, a military alliance held them together and the USSR was the leader of the bloc.
4. The Soviet economy was then more developed than the rest of the world except for the US.
5. It had a complex communication network, vast energy resources including oil, iron and steel, (machinery) production and a transport sector that connected its remotest _areas with efficiency.
6. It had a domestic consumer industry that produced everything from pins to cars to make themselves self-dependent.

Q3. “During the Cold War era India and the USSR enjoyed a special relationship which made critics to say that India was part of Soviet camp”. Examine the statement.
Or
“India and the USSR enjoyed mutual dimensional relationship.” Justify the statement.
Answer:  During the Cold War era India and the USSR enjoyed a special relationship which made critics to say that India was part of the Soviet camp. It was a multi-dimensional relationship:
1. Economic:
(a) The Soviet Union assisted India’s public sector companies at a time when such assistance was difficult to get.
(b) It gave aid and technical assistance for steel plants like Bhilai, Bokaro, Vishakhapatnam and machinery plants like Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
(c) The Soviet Union accepted Indian currency for trade when India was short of foreign exchange.
2. Political:
(а) The Soviet Union supported India’s positions on the Kashmir issue in the WN.
(b) The Soviet Union also supported India during its major conflicts during the war with Pakistan in 1971.
(c) India too supported Soviet foreign policy in some crucial but indirect ways.
3. Military:
(a) India received military hardware from Soviet Union.
(b) India got technological know-how regarding maintenance of military arsenal.
(c) India and Soviet Union got mutual agreements to produce military equipments.
4. Cultural:
(a) Hindi films and Indian culture were popular in the Soviet Union.
(b) A large number of Indian writers and artists visited the USSR.
(c) Indian heroes from Raj Kapoor to Amitabh Bachhan are household names in Russia.

Q4. Mention the causes of Soviet disintegration.
Answer:  The causes of Soviet disintegration can be summed up as follows:
1. Economic Stagnancy:
(a) Economic institutions experienced internal weaknesses to meet the aspirations of people.
(b) Economic stagnation for many years to severe consumer shortages.
2. Political and Administrative Causes:
(a) The only ruling Communist Party was not accountable despite its rule of 70 years.
(b) Theordinaiypeoplewereabstained from taking participation in political riots, hence the system became incapable of correcting its mistakes.
(c) The ordinary citizens were exempted from gaining the privileges.
(d) Due to non-participation of people, the government lost popular support from all sides.
3. Gorbachev’s Reform Policies:
(а) Gorbachev’s reforms aimed at keeping the USSR abreast of information and technological revolutions taking place in the west.
(b) Gorbachev focused to normalise relations with the west.
(c) Gorbachev worked to democratise the Soviet System.
(d) But Society was divided into two sections towards Gorbacheve’s reforms and both of them had contradictory views towards him.
4. Rise of Nationalism and Desire for Sovereignty:
(a) The rise of nationalism in various republics of Soviet Union proved to be immediate cause of revolutions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Georgia.
(b) The nationalist dissatisfaction with the Soviet Union was strongest in European and prosperous part in Russia and the Baltic areas as well as Ukraine and Georgia.
(c) Ordinary people felt alienated from Central Asia.

Q5. What sot of conflicts had occurred in Soviet Republics? Explain.
Answer:  1. In Russia:
(a) Chechnya and Dagestan had violent secessionist movements.
(b) Moscow’s method to deal with Chechen rebels and indiscriminate military bombings led to many human rights violation but for deter aspirations for independence.
2. In Central Asia:
(a) Tajikistan witnessed a civil war that went on for ten years till 2001.
(b) In Azerbaijan’s provinces of Nagorno-Karobakh, some local Armenians want to secede and join Armenia.
(c) In Georgia, the demand for independence came from two provinces resulting in a civil war.
(d) There are still movements against the existing regimes in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia.
(e) Even countries and provinces are fighting over river water.
3. In Eastern Europe:
(a) Czechoslovakia, split peacefully into two with the Czechs and Slovaks, forming independent countries.
(b) The severe conflict took place in the Balkan republics of Yugoslavia.
(c) After 1991, Yugoslavia broke \ apart with several provinces like Croatia, Slovania, Bosnia and Herzegovina declaring independence.
(d) Ethnic Serbs opposed this and a massacre of non-Serbs Bosanians followed.
(e) The NATO intervention and the bombing of Yugoslavia followed inter-ethnic Civil war.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION:

Q1. The Cold War produced an arms race as well as arms control. What were the reasons for both these developments?

Answer
The Cold War did not eliminate rivalries between the two alliances, mutual suspicions led them to arm themselves to the teeth and to constantly prepare for war. Huge stocks of arms were considered necessary to prevent wars from taking place. This was known as arms race.
Cold war also led to several shooting wars such as Korean Crisis, Berlin Crisis, Congo Crisis and several others. The two sides understood that war might occur in spite of restraint. As both powers have nuclear weapons, there will be vast devastation all over the world and left no single side as the winner. Therefore, the US and USSR decided to collaborate in limiting or eliminating certain kinds of nuclear and non-nuclear weapons. A stable balance of weapons, they decided, could be maintained through ‘arms control’.

Q2. Why did the superpowers have military alliances with smaller countries? Give three reasons.
Answer

The superpowers have military alliances with smaller countries because the smaller states were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to • vital resources, such as oil and minerals• territory, from where the superpowers could launch their weapons and troops• locations from where they could spy on each other

Q3. Sometimes it is said that the Cold War was a simple struggle for power and that ideology had nothing to do with it. Do you agree with this? Give one example to support your position.

Answer
No, I do not agree with the statement that the Cold War was a simple struggle for power and that ideology had nothing to do with it.
• The Cold War was not simply a matter of power rivalries, of military alliances, and of the balance of power. These were accompanied by a real ideological conflict as well,• The western alliance, headed by the US, represented the ideology of liberal democracy and capitalism while
the eastern alliance, headed by the Soviet Union, was committed to the ideology of socialism and communism.
Thus, both powers trying to prove that their ideas are better than the other and most appropriate way of organising political, economic, and social life all over the world.

Q4. What was India’s foreign policy towards the US and USSR during the Cold War era? Do you think that this policy helped India’s interests?

Answer
India’s foreign policy towards the US and USSR during the Cold War era was neither negative nor passive.
• Despite being the founder member of NAM, India was in favour of actively intervening in world affairs to soften Cold War rivalries.• India tried to reduce the differences between the alliances and thereby prevent differences from escalating into a full-scale war.
• Indian diplomats and leaders were often used to communicate and mediate between Cold War rivals such as in the Korea War in the early 1950s.• During the Cold War, India repeatedly tried to activate those regional and international organisations, which were not a part of the alliances led by the US and USSR.• India’s Nehru reposed great faith in ‘a genuine commonwealth of free and cooperating nations’ that would play a positive role in softening, if not ending, the Cold War.This policy of India towards US and USSR helped India’s interest to take international decisions and stances. India was often able to balance one superpower against the other. Neither alliance system could take India for granted or bully it.

Q5. NAM was considered a ‘third option’ by Third World countries. How did this option benefit their growth during the peak of the Cold War?

Answer
The Cold War tended to divide the world into two rival alliances. It was in this context that nonalignment offered the newly decolonised countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America a third option—not to join either alliance.
The idea of a New International Economic Order (NIEO) benefited the newly decolonised countries.• It gives the Least Developed Countries (LDC) to control over their natural resources exploited by the developed Western countries,• It obtains access to Western markets so that the LDCs could sell their products and, therefore, make trade more beneficial for the poorer countries, • It reduces the cost of technology from the Western countries• It also provides the LDCs with a greater role in international economic institutions.Thus, NAM as ‘third option’ by Third World countries benefited their growth during the peak of the Cold War.

Q6. What do you think about the statement that NAM has become irrelevant today. Give reasons to support your opinion.

Answer
No, I don not think NAM has become irrelevant today. It still contains some core values and enduring ideas.
• After the end of the cold war between superpowers, it started giving more importance to economic issues than political issues.
• After the disintegration of USSR, US is the only superpower left. Now, it is essential for NAM to keep checking the US from making biased decisions.
• NAM is formed by Third World countries in which developmental task is not yet completed. It ensures that these countries liberalise their economies in order to pave way for faster development.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION:

Q1. Describe any six factors responsible for the disintegration of USSR.
Or
What is meant by New International Economic Order? Mention any four reforms of the global trading system proposed by UNCTAD in 1972.
Answer: Six factors responsible for the disintegration of USSR are—
(i) The internal weaknesses of Soviet political and economic institutions failed to meet the aspirations of the people.
(ii) Economic stagnation for many years led to severe consumer shortages and a large section of Soviet society began to doubt and question the system and to do so openly.
(iii) The Soviet Union had become stagnant in an administrative and political sense as well. The Communist Party that had ruled the Soviet Union for over 70 years was not accountable to the people. Ordinary people were alienated by slow and stifling administration, rampant corruption, the inability of the system to correct mistakes it had made, the unwillingness to allow more openness in government and the centralisation of authority in a-vast land.
(iv) The Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining a nuclear and military arsenal and the development of its satellite states in Eastern Europe and within the Soviet system. This led a huge economic burden that the system could not cope with.
(v) When Gorbachev became the President, he carried out reforms and loosened the system. He set in motion forces and expectations that few could have predicted and became virtually impossible to control. There were sections of Soviet society which felt that Gorbachev should have moved much faster and were disappointed and impatient with his methods. Others, especially members of the Communist Party and those who were served by the system, took exactly the opposite view. In this tug of war, Gorbachev lost support on all sides.
(vi) The rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within various republics including Russia and the Baltic Republics, Ukraine, Georgia, and others proved to be the final and most immediate cause for the disintegration of the USSR.
Or
The non-aligned countries were more than merely mediators during the’ Cold War. The challenge for most of the non-aligned countries — a majority of them were categorised as the Least
Developed Countries (LDCs) — was to be more developed economically and to lift their people out of poverty. Economic development was also vital for the independence of the new countries. Without sustained development, a country could not be truly free. It would remain dependent on the richer countries including the colonial powers from which political freedom had been achieved. The idea of a New International Economic Order (NIEO) originated with this realisation.
The UNCTAD brought out a report in 1972 entitled Towards a New Trade Policy for Development. The report proposed a reform of the global trading system so as to:
(i) give the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) control over their natural resources exploited by the developed western countries.
(ii) obtain access to western markets so that LDCs would sell their products and, therefore, make trade more beneficial for the poorer countries.
(iii) reduce the cost of technology from the western countries, and
(iv) provide the LDCs with a greater role in international economic institutions.

Q2. What led to the emergence of bipolar world? What were the arenas of Cold War between the two power blocs?
Answer: Emergence of bipolar world:
1. Two superpowers expanded their own spheres of influence in different parts of the world.
2. It divided the world into two alliances namely Western and Eastern alliance headed by the US and Soviet Union respectively.
3. The smaller states in alliances got the promise of protection of weapons and economic aid against their local rivals, hence they remained tied to its protective superpowers to limit influence of other superpower and its allies.
Arenas of Cold War:
1. Crisis and war occurred between alliance systems but did not cross certain limits.
2. Many lives were lost in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan, but world was spared from nuclear war and global hostilities.
3. The Cold War led to several shooting wars but it did not lead to another World War despite direct confrontations in Korea (1950-53), Berlin (1958-62) and the Congo (the early 1960s).

Q3. How did Europe become main arena of conflict between the superpowers?
Answer: 1. Superpowersusedtheirmilitarypower to bring countries into their respective alliances.
2. Soviet Union used its influence in Eastern Europe so that the eastern half of Europe remained within its sphere of influence.
3. In East and Southeast Asia and in West Asia, the US built an alliance called South East Asian Treaty Organisation (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO).
4. The Soviet Union responded by having close relations with regional countries such as North Vietnam, North Korea and Iraq.

Q4. “India’s policy of non-alignment was criticised on a number of counts.” Explain.
Answer: A non-aligned posture also served India’s interests very directly as well as India intervened in world affairs to soften cold war rivalries by reducing differences between the alliances and from escalating into a full scale war. Though India’s policy of non-alignment was criticised on a number of counts:
1. India’s non-alignment was said to be ‘unprincipled’ in the name of persuing in national interest.
2. India often refused to take firm stand on crucial international issues.
! 3. Sometimes India took contradictory postures, having criticised others for joining alliances, Indian signed the Treaty of friendship in August 1971 with the USSR for 29 years
4. During Bangladesh crisis also India developed good relations even with the US in the name of diplomatic and military support.

Q5. Explain various arms control treaties.
Or
Define the various treaties to control arms.
Answer: 1. Limited Test Ban Treaty: Banned nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water signed by the US, UK and USSR in Moscow on 5 August 1963 came into force on 10 October, 1963.
2. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty:
It allows only nuclear weapon states to have nuclear weapons and stops others from acquiring them. A nuclear weapon state is one which had manufactured and exploded nuclear explosive device prior to 1 Janaury, 1967. So there are five nuclear weapon states: US, USSR, Britain, France and China.
3. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks I and II (Salt I and II): The first round began in November 1969. The Soviet Union leader Leonid Brezhnev and the US President Kichard Nixon signed the following in Moscow on 26 May 1972— (a) Anti Ballistic Missile System Treaty, (b) Interim Agreement on limitation of strategic offensive arms.
It came into force on 3 October, 1972. The second round started in November 1972. The US President Jimmy Carter and the Soviet leader Brezhnev signed Treaty on limiting strategic offensive arms in Vienna on 18 June, 1979.
4. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I and II (START I and II): Treaty I signed by the USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev and the’ US president George Bush (Senior) on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms in Moscow on 31 July 1991.
Treaty II was signed for same purpose in Moscow on 3 January, 1993 between Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the US President George Bush (Senior).

In This Post we are  providing Chapter- 6 STAFFING NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 BUSSINESS STUDIES which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON STAFFING

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1) “Staffing makes for higher performance by putting right person on the right job”. Is this statement true or false?
Ans. True
2)“There is no need of human resource planning as so many people are available in the market these days.” Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons.
Ans. No, I don’t agree with this statement. There is a great need of man power planning due to the following reasons. :
1. Organisation needs man power planning: To meet the demands of changing job requirements due to change of technology.
2. Man power requires forecasting: Provides a basis of recruitment, transfer and
training employees.
3) Human resource management is a part of staffing. Do you agree?
Ans. No.
4) “The present day human resource management is a broader concept.” Explain
Ans. The present day human resource management includes the following activities:
a. Helps the organization to achieve its goals
b .Employees the skills and knowledge of employees efficiently and effectively.
C .Enhance job satisfaction.
d. Maintain high morale and good human relations within the organization.

5) State the meaning of placement as a staffing function.
Ans. Placement: Once the job offer has been accepted by the selected candidate he placed on this new job. Proper placement of an employee reduces absenteeism Placement therefore refers to placing the right person on the right job.
6) Describe briefly the steps involved in the process of staffing.
Ans. Man power Planning: The organization estimate the total man power requirement by considering all the departments of the organization. Recruitment: The second step after man power planning is recruitment and selection. Recruitment aims at attracting job applicants preposition in the organization. Selection: Selection consists of making choice among applicants. Placement and Orientation: It refers to placing the right person on the right job.
Induction: it is concerned with the process of introduction of a new employee to the
organization. Training and development: It is more accurately considered as a process of skill formation and behavioral change. Performance appraisal Promotion and career planning
Compensation
7) ‘Internal sources of recruitment are better than external sources of recruitment.’ Do you agree with this statement? Give any two reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. Yes, I agree with this statement.
Advantages: 1. It will assist in developing high moral of employees.
2. The candidates already working in the organization can be evaluated more economically as the expenditure is relatively less.

8) What is meant by ‘Selection’? Explain any five steps involved in the process of
selection of employees.
Ans. Selection is the process of carefully screening the candidates who offer themselves for
appointment so as to choose the most appropriate person for the job.
Steps : 1. The preliminary screening : A brief screening interview is conducted as the first
step in the selection process.
2. Selection test: Each candidate appears for employment test.
3. Employment Interview: Interview is a phase of testing on the basis of face to face
interaction between the interviewer and the applicant.
4. Reference and background checking: Gather more information about the candidates from indirect personal sources.
5. Selection decision: After candidates process the tests and interview final decision for
selection is made after considering the view of concerned manager.
6. Medical Test: The selection process is not complete without the medical test.
7. Job offer: Letter of appointment mentioning the date by which a candidate has to report on duty is handed over to the appointee.
8. Contract of employment: It includes various details such as pay, allowances, work rules etc.
9) Distinguish between training and development.
Ans. A)

Training	Development
It is used to add skills abilities of the workers	Development involves improving the capacities and capability of the managerial personnel.
The term training is generally used to impart specific skills among operative workers	It is associated with the over all growth of the executives.
it is to enable the employee to do the job better	It is to enable the overall growth of the Employee.
It is a job oriented process	It is a carrier oriented process.

10) State the benefits of employee’s training.( 4M)
Ans. Benefits to the organization
a) Economic operations: Trained personal will make economic and efficient use of resources.
b) Increases productivity; It improves the quality and quantity of the production
Benefits to the employees:
a) Acquisition of new skills: A trained employee acquires new skills.
b) Higher Earnings: Trained employees can perform better and there by earn more.
superiors at the actual work place.

In This Post we are  providing Chapter- 7 DIRECTING NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 BUSSINESS STUDIES which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON DIRECTING

1. Explain in one sentence how directing initiates action in management.

Ans. Directing initiates action by ordering employees to attain the desired goal of an organisation.

2. What is meant by directing?
Ans. Directing is the process of instructing, guiding and inspiring people in the organisation to achieve its objectives.

3. Give any two elements of directing.
Ans. (i) Supervision
(ii) leadership.

4. State the element of directing which helps in implementing the principle of scalar chain.
Ans. Communication helps in implementing the principle of scalar chain.

5. State any one characteristic of directing.
Ans. Directing helps to initiate action by the people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives.

6. How directing helps in efficient and effective functioning of the organisation? Explain by giving any three points.
Ans. Directing helps in efficient and effective functioning of management because:
(i) It integrates employees Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual’s efforts contributes to the welfare of the organisation. Thus, it ensures that employees work efficiently for the attainment of goals.                                                         

 (ii) It improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potentials and capabilities. Through this function, managers utilise the potential of employees and persuade them to work with the best of their ability and contribute their maximum efforts towards the achievement of organisational objectives.
(iii) It facilitates change Business environment is changing very frequently, but the people generally have a tendency to resist change. In this context, directing helps manager to persuade his subordinates to carry out changes from time to time to cope with changes in the environment as the changes are necessary to adapt and it is the need of modern business

7. Explain the meaning and any three characteristics of directing.

Ans. Directing refers to the process of instructing, guiding, counselling, motivating and leading people in the organisation through effective communication, so that their efforts result in achievement of organisational objectives.
Characteristics of directing are as follows:
(i) Initiating process It involves giving orders and instructions to the employees and thereby decisions are converted into actions.
(ii) Pervasive function The directing function is performed by all managers at all levels to achieve the organisational goals.
(iii) A continuous process It is an activity that takes place throughout the life of an organisation, irrespective of people occupying managerial position

8. Directing is the heart of the management process. Do you agree? Give any four reasons in support of your answer.

Ans. Yes, I do agree with this statement. Directing may be regarded as the heart of the management process; Its importance may be explained under the following points
(i) Initiates action Directing helps to initiate action by people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives, e.g. if a supervisor guides his subordinates and clarifies their doubts in performing a task, it will help workers to achieve work targets given to them.
(ii) Integrates employees’ efforts Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual effort contributes to the attainment of organisational objectives. Thus, it ensures that the individuals work for organisational goals.
(iii)Improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potential and capabilities by motivating and providing effective leadership. A good leader can always identify the potential of his employees and motivate them to extract work up to their potential.
(iv)Brings balance and stability in the organisation Effective directing helps to bring stability and balance in the organisation since, it fosters cooperation and commitment among the people and helps to achieve balance among various group activities and the departments.

9. Directing is not required at all in management of organisation. Do you agree? Give two reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. No, I do not agree with the above statement. Directing is required in organisation as it initiates the action of people towards attainment of desired goals.
Reasons
(i) Initiates action Directing helps to initiate action by people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives, e.g. if a supervisor guides his subordinates and clarifies their doubts in performing a task, it will help workers to achieve work targets given to them.
(ii) Integrates employees’ efforts Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual effort contributes to the attainment of organisational objectives. Thus, it ensures that the individuals work for organisational goals.
(iii)Improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potential and capabilities by motivating and providing effective leadership. A good leader can always identify the potential of his employees and motivate them to extract work up to their potential.
(iv)Brings balance and stability in the organisation Effective directing helps to bring stability and balance in the organisation since, it fosters cooperation and commitment among the people and helps to achieve balance among various group activities and the departments.

10. Explain how directing helps in effective and efficient functioning of the organisation.
or
What is meant by directing as a function of management? Describe any four points of its importance.     
or
‘Every action in the organisation is initiated through directing’. Explain any four points of importance of directing in the light of this statement.
Ans. Directing refers to the process of instructing, guiding, counselling, motivating and leading people in the organisation through effective communication so that their efforts result in achievement of organisational objectives. The scope of directing is very wide. It consists of all those activities by which a manager influences the behaviour of his subordinates to secure desired performance from them.
According to William Newman, ‘Directing deals with the steps, a manager takes to get subordinates and others to carry out plans’.
Importance of directing 
Its importance may be explained under the following points
(i) Initiates action Directing helps to initiate action by people in the organisation towards attainment of desired objectives, e.g. if a supervisor guides his subordinates and clarifies their doubts in performing a task, it will help workers to achieve work targets given to them.
(ii) Integrates employees’ efforts Directing integrates employees’ efforts in the organisation in such a way that every individual effort contributes to the attainment of organisational objectives. Thus, it ensures that the individuals work for organisational goals.
(iii)Improves efficiency Directing guides employees to fully realise their potential and capabilities by motivating and providing effective leadership. A good leader can always identify the potential of his employees and motivate them to extract work up to their potential.
(iv)Brings balance and stability in the organisation Effective directing helps to bring stability and balance in the organisation since, it fosters cooperation and commitment among the people and helps to achieve balance among various group activities and the departments.

In This Post we are  providing Chapter- 8 CONTROLLING NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 BUSSINESS STUDIES which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON CONTROLLING

 Question 1

Why is controlling considered to be a backward looking?
Ans. Controlling involves evaluation of past activities to find out deviations from standards so it is a backward looking function.

Question 2.
Mention the important features of the control function of management.
Answer:
Characteristics of Control: The Control function of management has the following features:
1. Controlling is a continuous Process: It involves continuous measurement and review of actual performance and results in corrective action based on this review. It may lead to changes in planning, staffing, organizing, etc.

2. Controlling is looking Back: Control leads to the appraisal of past activities. Thus, it is looking back. The shortcomings in the performance of various individuals and departments are revealed by the control process. This is known as feedback information. It will help in knowing the reasons for poor performance. Corrective action can be initiated on the basis of feedback information.

3. Control is forward-looking: Control is said to be forward-looking. It is related to the future as the past cannot be controlled. It is usually preventive as the preserve of the control system leads to minimizing wastages, losses, and deviations from standards. It should be noted that control does not curtail the rights of individuals. It simply keeps a check on the Performance of individuals.

4. Control is Action-Oriented: Control implies taking corrective measures, whenever required. Action is the essence of control. The purpose of control is achieved only when corrective action is taken on the basis of feedback information. If the control does not lead to any action, then a manager can’t ensure actual performance as per standards. A good system of control facilities timely action so that there is minimum wastage of resources, time, and energy.

5. Control is a Pervasive function: It is a basic function of every manger irrespective of his level of authority. It is a follow-up action to the other function of management. Every manager is responsible for controlling the activities of those working under him and taking necessary action whenever necessary.

Question 3.
Explain the term Management by Exception.
Answer:
Management by exception: Effective control can be achieved if critical or key points are identified and close attention is directed to adjustment at these points. This is known as ‘control by exception’. According to this principle, only significant deviations from the standards require management’s attention as they constitute exceptions. An attempt to go through all deviations tends to increase the workload of the Manager and decrease attention on important problems.

For instance, if postal expenses mqt&ase by twenty percent, the deviation is too insignificant to require managerial attention. On the other hand, if labor costs rise by twenty percent, they should receive immediate managerial attention.

The Principle of Management by exception implies that minor deviations from the standards may be ignored or given less attention. This would conserve managerial time, effort, and energy which could be utilized on important matters. But whenever deviations from standards are higher than the accepted level, management must take corrective measures to deal with the situation.

Question 4.
Explain in brief the term Responsibility Accounting.
Answer:
Responsibility Accounting is a system of control where responsibility is assigned for the control of costs. The persons are made responsible for the control of costs. Proper authority is given to the persons so that they are able to keep up their performance. In case the performance is not according to the predetermined standards then the persons who are assigned this duty will be personally responsible for it.

In responsibility accounting, the emphasis is on men rather than on systems e.g. if Mr. A, the manager of a department, prepares the cost budget of his department then he will be made responsible for keeping the budget under control. A will be supplied with full information of cost incurred by this department. In case the cost incurred is more than the budgeted costs, then A will try to find out reasons and take necessary corrective measures. A will be personally responsible for the performance of his department.

Question 5.
Explain in brief the term Zero base budgeting.
Answer:
Zero Based Budgeting Whenever a budget is prepared, past records and experience are taken into consideration. The new budget is prepared on the basis of budgets of the previous period. This method is known as ‘Based Budgeting’. On the contrary, the concept of zero-base budgeting considers the future not a mere projection of the past. As the environment is changing fast, the need to forecast systematically future events arise. For the growth and survival of any business organization, these changes need to be adopted.

Zero-base budgeting is the latest technique and it is meant for a particular period of time. It doesn’t prepare an altogether new budget. Normally, the previous year’s performance is taken as a base for the current year’s budget in budgeting techniques. But in zero-base budgeting, every year is taken as a new year, and the previous year is not taken as a base.

Zero is taken as a base and all budget proposals are considered in the light of present conditions. In zero-based budgeting, the amount to be spent on various activities will depend upon justification given by the manager.

Hence, zero-based budgeting provides flexibility and freedom in allocating the resources and the chances of repletion of weaknesses of the previous year are reduced.

Question 6.
Explain the Modern technique of control by the management information system (MIS) a computer-based technique.
Answer:
Management information system: A management information system (MIS) is a computer-based information system that provides information and support for effective managerial decision-making. A decision-maker requires up to date, accurate and timely information. MIS provides the required information to the managers by systematically Processing massive data generated in an organization. Thus, MIS is an important communication tool for managers.

MIS also serves as an important control technique. It provides data and information to the managers at the right time so that appropriate corrective action may be taken in case of deviations from standards.

MIS offers the following advantages to Managers:

1. It facilitates the collection, management, and dissemination of information at different levels of Management and across different departments of the Organisation.
2. It supports planning, decision making, and controlling at all levels.
3. It improves the quality of information with which a manager works.
4. It ensures cost-effectiveness in managing information.
5. It reduces information overload on the managers as only relevant information is provided to them.

Question 7.
Distinguish between Planning and Control.
Answer:
A comparison of Planning and Control:

Planning	Control
1. Planning emphasizes more on non-personal, abstract long-range problems.	1. Control emphasizes more and long-range problems.
2. Planning is based on estimates	2. Control is based on estimates.
3. Planning is done by top-level executives.	3. Control is done by top-level executives.
4. Under Planning, the evaluation of results is very difficult.	4. Under Control, the evaluation of results is very difficult.
5. Determination of results takes a very long time.	5. Determination of results takes a very long time.

Question 8.
What are the advantages of Management audit?
Answer:
The main advantages of Management audit are as follows.

1. It helps to locate present and potential deficiencies in the performance of management functions.
2. It helps to Improve the Control system to an Organisation by continuously monitoring the performance of Management.
3. It Improves Coordination in the functioning of various departments so that they work together effectively towards the achievement of organizational objectives.
4. It ensures updating of existing managerial .policies and strategies in the light of environmental changes.

Conducting a management audit may sometimes pose a problem as there are no standard techniques of management audit. Also, management audit is not compulsory under any law. Enlightened managers, however, understand its usefulness in improving the overall performance of the organization.

Question 9.
Explain the essential features of a sound control system. (Imp. Q)
Answer:
Essential features of a sound control system:
A good control system has the following essential features:
1. Clear out objectives: Before Planning a control system, it is essential to know clearly the objectives it will tend to achieve. The standards of performance should be based on these objectives. Thus, the control system should be directed towards the detection of early deviations from the standards to permit effective corrective action. If the standards are arbitrary or subjective in nature, they will not be able to measure deviations properly. Thus, the purpose of control will be lost.

2. Suitability: Control techniques should be appropriately designed to suit the nature of the activities being controlled. This means that different types of activities need different types of control techniques. The control technique should be tailored to reflect the performance of all types of operations, say, production or sales.

It is also essential that the overall control system should be appropriate for the organization. A control system that is good for a small organization may be inadequate for a big organization.

3. Simplicity: A good system of control should be simple and easy to understand. The employees must know what is expected of them and how their performance will be evaluated. If the employees don’t understand the standards of performance properly, the actual performance might turn out to be very poor.

4. Economy: The system of control must be worth its costs. It must justify the expenses involved. A control system is justifiable if the savings anticipated from it exceed the costs of its working. Small enterprises cannot afford elaborate control systems which are very costly. As far as possible, unnecessary paperwork and reports should be avoided

5. Flexibility: A good control system must keep pace with the continuously changing environment. It must be responsive to changing conditions. It should be adaptable to new developments such as the introduction of new methods, materials, and changes in the requirements of the customers. If there is a change in any plan, the control system should be capable of absorbing such change.

6. Forward-looking: The system of control should be forward-looking in the sense that it should detect and report deviations promptly. Timeless is the essence of control. Ideally, deviations should be anticipated and preventive action should be taken. More realistically information on deviations should be monitored and feedback to the system immediately so that corrections are effected with minimum cost and inconvenience.

7. Suggesting Corrective Action: Merely pointing out deviations is not sufficient in a good control system. It must lead to taking corrective action to achieve the desired objectives. It may result in taking suitable action against the employees, giving them training, ensuring effective supervision, improving communication, revising standards, etc.

8. Concentration on exceptions: This is also known as ‘Control significant deviations from standards require management’s attention as they constitute exceptions. An attempt.to go through all deviation tends to increase unnecessary efforts and to decrease attention on important problems.

9. Strategic Point Control: Small deviations in certain cases may have greater significance than larger ones in other cases, for example, deviation of ten percent in budgeted labor cost may be more troublesome to a manager than a deviation of twenty-five percent in budgeted postal charges. The Principle of strategic point control states that effective control can be achieved if critical, key, or strategic points can be identified and close attention directed to adjustment at those points. In fact, strategic point control is an extension of control by exception.

Question 10.
Explain the relationship of the controlling the function of management with other functions of management.
Answer:
Relationship of control with other Function of Management: We know that control is the last function of management because its need arises only after performing the functioning of planning, organizing, and directing. But being the last function does not lower down its importance as compared to other functions. Control is very must linked to other functions of management. In fact, the success of all other functions depends upon effective control,

The relation of Control with other managerial functions is explained below:
1. Relationship of Control with Planning: There is a close relationship between the Control and Planning functions of Management. Planning is the basis of Control, The control process involves determining the standards, comparison of the deviations, and taking corrective action to remove such deviations. In this process, planning provides such standards against which the progress of the actual performance is compared.

Thus where there is no plan there can be no basis for control. HG Hick has rightly said that “Planning is clearly a prerequisite for controlling. It is utterly foolish to think that controlling could be accomplished without planning there is no predetermined understanding of the desired performance.

On the other hand, plans will also prove mere imaginations in the absence of control. Because in such a case there will be no one to check whether or not everything is being done according to plans. Also in the absence of control, there will be no corrective action to direct the actual progress towards the accomplishment of plans.

Thus planning is meaningless without control, and control is aimless without planning.

2. Relationship of control with the organization: Control can be meaningful only when the person responsible for deviations is identified and is held responsible. This is possible only because of the organization because it is only in an organization that the authority and responsibility of each one are defined. In the absence of organization, neither the person responsible for committing the mistakes will be identified nor any action can be taken against him. Hence, the same mistakes will be repeated time and again. As such, effective organization is essential for effective control.

Similarly, Organisation is also dependent upon control because organizing is to assign work to individuals and give them authority and fix responsibility in case of mistakes. Since fixing of responsibility’ is possible only through Control, therefore effective control is essential for effective organization.

3. Relationship of control with Direction: Direction removes the difficulties in the way of various functions even before they are reviewed in order to control their progress. Direction makes the employee more capable and enthusiastic towards their work and provides them with adequate guidance training and supervision. Thus direction and control are interlinked with each other.

4. Relationship of control with other functions of Management: Control has deep relations with other functions of management as well. Communication helps in comparison of actual results with the standards by providing timely information of actual results with the standards by providing timely information of actual progress. Decision-making helps in determining the way to remove the deviations and the type of corrective actions to be undertaken.

Motivation helps in encouraging people to work towards the achievement of organizational objectives. Under control performance of each person is evaluated and efficient persons are motivated by providing them financial and non-financial incentives whereas inefficient employees are provided training to remove their deficiencies. Thus, it is clear that all the functions of management are inter-linked.

The relationship of various managerial functions is depicted through the following diagram:

From the above diagram, it is clear that the relationship between control and other managerial function is so deep that it is impossible to think of them separately. Every function affects the control and gets affected by it.