Hello, I am Sripal Reddy (AIR 131 CSE 2018).

I scored a decent 317 in Political Science and International

Relations. It is not an overstatement to say that optional is the “UTTARPRADESH” of my UPSC preparation.
As it is said in electoral politics, the road to Delhi goes from Lucknow, in case of UPSC CSE preparation a
pathway to the final destination will be paved by an aspirant’s performance in the Optinal.

This document might be a longer one than expected and any document on strategy will
only be successful if it succeeds in calming the nerves of an aspirant from time to time while
simultaneously providing a direction and energy to the preparation. I hope this document will achieve this
goal.

As we all know, PSIR has two papers and four parts. Being an individualist that I am, I will deal with each
part individually.

PAPER-1

PART-A

It is no surprise that every aspirant will be investing lion’s share of his time on this part. And if we have to
divide this further, POLITICAL THEORY, WESTERN PHILOSOPHERS, POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AND INDIAN
POLITICAL THOUGHT are the subparts.

A.POLITICAL THEORY:

SOURCES:

 SHUBRA RANJAN mam’s notes.

 ANDREW HEYWOOD’S POLITICAL THEORY.

From the vantage point of the exam, democracy, Justice and Equality are the most
important concepts. There will never be a question paper without questions on each of these three
concepts. In the exam or while writing answer, INTRODUCTION has immense importance. Our
introduction should be the gateway to the body of our answer.

While writing the introduction in case of political theory, the centrality of given concept and its
importance to political science must be discussed. For example, for question on EQUALITY introduction
can be- ‘Equality being normative concept of Political science has evolved from classical theorist Aristotle’s
concept of proportionate equality to Amartya Sen’s idea of functional equality’ (or) ‘Equality whose
evolution is closely associated with human progress is considered as a sovereign virtue by Ronald
Dworkin’.

Later on, the body of answer must be a conversation with the examiner revolving around the theme
asked in the question. Here while discussing about equality we can touch up on peripheral ideas such as
liberty and its relation with equality-‘classical liberals consider equality and liberty as antithetical to each
other’ and affirmative action.
 In this area, we need not shy away from bringing in current events or the given concept’s
relation with Indian Constitution. In case of equality we can say that,-‘Indian Constitution calls for socio
economic equality which is substantive and not just the classical idea of procedural equality’ (or) In case
of rights, Maneka Gandhi case S.C has added Procedural aspect to Art 21. The idea of MINIMUM
GOVERNMENT AND MAXIMUM GOVERNANCE can be used in case of neoliberal perspective of state.

While reading itself if we can think how a concept is seen by different ideologies, the flow of answers
in the exam can be maintained. For example, in case of LIBERTY: MARXISTS see liberty as false
consciousness (or) liberals give priority to liberty over equality.

B.WESTERN PHOLOSOPHERS.

Sources:

 Shubra Ranjan mam’s notes.

 Brian Nelson’s Western Political thought (although very selectively)

It is said that every thinker is a child of his times. So the impact of SPACE-TIME on the ideas of a thinker
can be used as the introduction. For example, in case of Machiavelli, introductions can be:

 Machiavelli is the child of renaissance.

 When a question on Machiavelli’s stand on religion is asked: In the times of Machiavelli, Italy
was a house divided against itself which led to internal disorder and external threats. The
intrusion of Papacy in the internal affairs of Italy was considered as the cause for this division
by Machiavelli. Later we can write –‘Machiavelli did not disregard religion totally, he had a
utilitarian perspective of religion’.

For a good introduction, we can sort out major themes of a Philosopher and the significant event which
led to the dominant idea of that given philosopher.

In case of Aristotle, the dominant themes are

 Status Quo.
 Conservative.
 Functionalist.
 Moderate who judged with the yardstick of golden mean. Wanted strong middle class.
 Worldly philosopher while Plato was interested in transcendental.
 Influence: Biologist father – which led to the idea of classification which gave birth to comparative
politics.
 Civic Republicanism.
These themes can be used as central theme of introductions. For a question on Aristotle’s view on private
property –‘Aristotle being a functionalist wanted to preserve property. While Plato saw as private
property an instrument of corruption, Aristotle saw it as an instrument of stability and order.’

Moreover, while writing about philosophers, we should use one liners given by political philosophers.
Hobbes said –‘I and fear are born together’. Or Plato’s -‘a good practitioner of medicine cannot be
constrained by a book of medicine’. To add, since we also write criticism in answers, it would be unjust on
our part if we fail to quote one liners of different commentators such as – ‘Whitehead considers entire
Western philosophy as a footnote to Plato and Aristotle’.

Furthermore, in conclusions we can bring in philosophy of Indian constitution. For example, Indian
constitution doesn’t consider Social Justice as a mirage as libertarians do. (Or) Aristotle’s concept of civic
participation as an integral element of citizenship is necessary today to promote ideas such as Public
Vigilance or Social Audit.

C.POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES:

Sources:

 Shubra Ranjan mam’s notes

 Andrew Heywood’s Political ideologies.

Firstly, this (Political ideologies) area’s importance cannot be understated because this part is simple and
it serves as a link between POLITICAL PHILOSOPHERS and POLITICAL THEORY. When we know political
ideology of a thinker, we can guess his stand on various concepts like Justice, Equality and others.

POLITICAL PHILOSOPHER  POLITICAL IDEOLOGY POLITICAL THEORY.

In addition, it is the associative element of our preparation i.e. relation between various concepts is
understood deeply with the help of this part.

Secondly, the evolution of a POLITICAL IDEOLOGY has close connection with WORLD HISTORY. So if we
have an idea on the events that shaped an ideology we can enrich our answers by quoting such events.
For example, ideologies such as socialism and feminism have roots in the French revolution. So while
writing about socialism mentioning feudal practices such as PREVILAGES and how EQUALITY became an
important concept or differentiating FRENCH REVOLUTION which is a SOCIAL REVOLUTION from American
Revolution which is a POLITICAL REVOLUTION will enrich our answers.

Thirdly, there are some themes for each ideology. In case of SOCIALISM –‘No man is an Island’ is a major
theme. Equality is another central concept and Socialism calls for a greater role for state in achieving
substantive equality. On the contrary, the major themes of FASCISM are-‘dissolution of self in state’,
‘Passion or Will is more powerful than reason’ and ‘1789 is dead’.

While introducing an ideology here we can again use one liners such as-‘Socialism is a hat everyone wears
and it is a deformed hat.’ ‘Fascism is not an ideology but an anti-ideology (or hodgepodge of ideas)’.

Fourthly, while writing about ideologies we can ask some basic questions.

1. Important events in history which shaped the ideology?

2. Which social group subscribes to this ideology (Karl Manheim said every ideology represents the
interests of a particular group)?
3. What is the nature of state according to this ideology?
4. What is the stand of this ideology on individual or human nature?
5. The relationship between individual and state according to the given ideology?
6. Ideology’s stand on Equality, liberty and Justice?
7. Ideology’s stand on Rights, Duties and Power?
8. Major thinkers of the ideology and their contribution to the ideology?
9. Ideology’s stand on INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS?

D. INDIAN POLITICAL THOUGHT

Sources:

 Shubra Ranjan mam’s notes.

 Selective use of WIKIPEDIA and Spectrum’s MODERN INDIA book.

Indian political thought is the weak link as far as political science is concerned. This is the area which can
give an aspirant highest dividends for the time invested. Judicious use of examples from Indian history will
help in making our answers interesting.

For example, while writing an answer about differences between the HINDU
POLITICAL THOUGHT and the BUDDHIST political thought, a general point would be: While Hindu Political
thought calls for the King to expand by conquest (CHAKRAVARTIN SAMRAT), Buddhist political thought
calls for the king to expand by love. However, we can use the EXAMPLE OF SAMUDRA GUPTA in case of
Hindu Political thought and ASHOKA in the other.

When it comes to Buddha as political philosopher, we can use the example of AJATASHATRU of Magadha
who visited Buddha for advice. For Hindu political thought we can use the examples such as ASHWAMEDA,
RAJASUYA etc.
 In the same way the civic republican tradition in Buddhist Political thought can be
correlated with the rise of MAHAJANAPADAS and emerging social structure in 6th century B.C.E.

As in case of WESTERN PHILOSPHERS here too we can identify the themes of various Indian
thinkers. For example, in case of Ambedkar he is a modernist, he saw society as a bigger evil than state
(Where as Marx saw state as an evil) and he wanted state to be a reformist institution.

Along with these, themes such as AMBEDKAR -MARX, GANDHI –MARX, AMBEDKAR VS
GANDHI, AURABINDO VS SURENDRANATH BANERJEE, BUDDHIST VS HINDU, DANDA SHASTRA VS
DHARMASHASTRA etc. must be explored.

PAPER-1

PART-B

INDIAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:

SOURCES:

 Shubra Ranjan mam’s notes.

 LAXMIKANT (DONOT NEGLECT LAXMIKANT)
 SPECTRUM’S MODERN INDIA
 INDIAN EXPRESS OPINION COLUMS.
 SELECTIVE READING OF BL FADIA.
 EMPHASIS ON POST INDEPENDENCE HISTORY.

INDIAN NATIONALISM

For this part use SPECTRUM’S MODERN INDIA extensively. Different perspectives on Indian
Nationalism are explained in Shubra Ranjan mam’s notes. Reading them along with Spectrum
book will be enough.

PARTY SYSTEM

For this part read about elections right from 1952 to present in Wikipedia or newspapers. For
example the 1967 election has immense importance since it led to breaking of Nehruvian
Consensus. This was when the congress was challenged for the first time.
In the same way, 1971 has an importance for the slogan ‘GARIBI HATAO’ and Congress moving to
the left (EXTRACT FROM THE SLOGAN ‘WO KAHTE HAIN INDIRA HATAO MAI KEHTA HOON GARIBI
HATAO). On the other hand, 1991 general election is known for the emergence of MANDAL,
MANDIR AND MARKET.
2014 and 2019 are called the POST-MANDAL elections.
 2019 being an election year we can expect questions directly or indirectly related to elections.
Therefore issues such as marginalization of left, electoral process and ECI as an institution, voters
rising above caste, role of national security in elections etc. must be read from newspapers. In
addition the article on the profile of MPs in 17th Loksabha from prs will help.

Furthermore, in case of coalition politics we can use examples from post-

independence history such as formation of SVD governments after 1967 general elections in case
of coalition politics. For a question on personality politics, I used the quote ‘INDIA IS INDIRA AND
INDIRA IS INDIA ’.

While studying social movements such as CIVIL LIBERTY movements we can use examples from
Post-Independence history such as EMERGENCY .A standard introduction line for this area could
be – “Indian independence movement itself is a movement civil liberties. While constitution
guaranteed civil liberties, the consciousness grew only after they were taken away during
emergency”. We can also quote examples such as banning of “KISSA KURSI KA” movie.

In case of areas such as FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS try to give a glimpse of NEHRU report
and KARACHI session of congress. Use examples from history here also. Revise important congress
sessions and outputs of such sessions and use them.

Extensive usage of SPECTRUM’S MODERN INDIA will help in woman movements, Peasant
movements, Trade Union movements etc. KISAN MANIESTO of 1936, Pro-Zamindari stand of
Swatantra Party can be used in this section.

More importantly, try to read various articles published in newspapers on the eve of 25 years of
reforms. These will help us understand the impact of reforms and their performance. There is
book called India Transformed: 25 Years of Economic Reforms, if possible go through it.

PAPER-2

SOURCES:

 Shubra Ranjan mam’s notes.

 BAYLIS –SMITH.
 NORMAN LOWE (Selectively)

The most comfortable element of PSIR is that the knowledge gained in paper-1 can be used here.
The international theory is just an extension of major ideologies to international sphere. The core
concepts of MARXISM and Lenin’s extension of it to international arena don’t change. Here too major
events in WORLD HISTORY shape the theory identifying the water shed events such as W.W.I , W.W. II,
Treaty of Westphalia , Peloponnesian War, Napoleonic wars and Congress of Vienna , Bismarck and
Balance of power , Vietnam War, Fall of Soviet Union, 2001, 2008 global economic crisis will make us
understand this area better.

In addition to conventional sources, non-conventional sources such as LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN
OLIVER, FAREED ZAKARIA’S SHOW, BBC , MUNK DEBATES etc. will help us understand fringe areas such as
environmental movements, occupy wall street movement, yellow vest protests and political atmosphere
in the world.

Here too usage of one-liners such as –‘globalization is going through its pincer movement’ or ‘the present
phase is the swan song of globalization’ will enhance our answer.

In areas such as Political parties and Social Movements the accumulated knowledge from Paper-1 can be
used. In case of environmental movements ,historical themes such as Rachel Carlson’s Silent Spring, UN
conference on human environment 1972 and its relation to the creation of EPA , Brundtland Commission’s
idea of sustainable development and disasters such as Chernobyl will help enhance our answers.

Finally, the emerging trends in international arena such as – America looking inward(American
isolationism), emergence of post American world , refugee crisis , Protectionism, Increasing importance
of INDIAN OCEAN must be reflected wherever necessary in answers.

PAPER-2

PART-B

INDIA AND THE WORLD:

Sources:

 Shubra Ranjan mam’s crash course notes.

 MEA DISTINGUISHED LECTURES.
 VISION MAINS 365 ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

I think much cannot be said about this area since it is the most dynamic section of PSIR. However, as in
other areas we can prepare some strong intro lines here too. For example in case of INDO-RUSSIAN
relations we can use –“Russia is an all-weather friend or one old friend is better than two new friends”.
While for Africa we can use –“Indo African relations are not just transaction of material but a transaction
of ideas”.
Secondly, in case of neighborhood there is good information about BRITISH policy in SPECTRUM’S
MODERN INDIA. For example in case of TIBET, there is info about YOUNGHUSBAND’S MISSION TO TIBET.
HOW ANGLO AFGHAN WARS AND DURAND LINE shaped foreign policy w.r.t Afghanistan are also
discussed.

Here, I have some suggestions on answer writing. While writing answers one need to introduce the stream
of thought rather than introducing an author or thinker. Rather than using “According to” many times we
can use: Neoliberals like X prefer …… . On the contrary, realists such as Y advocate …. .

In addition try to use grand themes such as Protectionism, Russia wanting to reemerge, ARAB NATIONS
TRYING TO DIVERSIFY, Emerging friction between U.S and its allies etc. in answers while explaining foreign
policy of different countries. Judicious use of theory part to explain relations between countries will fetch
you marks.

Finally, while writing about geopolitics it is good to use maps. For example, in a question on India – China
relations a map of north east or J & k will help.

Thank You.