Civics Polity

International Relations

2,310 Questions

International relations examines how nation states interact, resolve conflicts, and formulate foreign policies on global issues. It covers concepts like deterrence, interventionism, cultural diplomacy, and peacekeeping operations. These topics are frequently tested in civil services and political science examinations.

Deterrence in defenseDiplomacy and conflictPeacekeeping operationsForeign policy approachesPolitical violence

International Relations Questions

Multiple choice

Foreign policy is a part of

  1. political environment

  2. economic environment

  3. social environment

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The political environment consists of the forces concerning management of public affairs. As foreign policy is prepared by the government and political party/ies form part of the Govt., it is a part of political environment. For instance, Coca Cola and IBM were forced to leave India due to very strict foreign policy of the government during 1977- 1980.

Multiple choice

What is “Charter 08”?

  1. A document by the UN revealing human rights disasters and social crises in China.

  2. A document by Chinese citizens that calls for a new constitution to establish multiparty democracy in China.

  3. A document giving scathing account of Communist rule in Russia.

  4. No of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Charter 08 is a manifesto signed by Chinese intellectuals and activists calling for democratic reforms and human rights in China.

Multiple choice

Mutual effort to lessen the hostility between the nations at war is

  1. détente

  2. mansard

  3. contraband

  4. connivation

  5. none
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Detente refers to the relaxation of strained relations or tensions between nations, especially during the Cold War period. It involves diplomatic efforts to reduce hostility and improve communication between conflicting states.

Multiple choice

The most dominating factor of international politics is

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

During the nineteenth century, liberals everywhere shared the conviction that power politics and war were residues of on obsolete system of government and that with the victory of democracy and constitutional government over absolutism and autocracy, international harmony and permanent peace would win out over power politics and war. The struggle for power on the international scene was seen as a temporary phenomenon, a historical accident that was bound to disappear once the peculiar conditions that had given rise to it were eliminated. Jeremy Bentham believed that the competition for colonies was at the root of all international conflicts. "Emancipate your colonies" was his advice to the governments and international conflict and war would surely disappear. Adherents of free trade were convinced that the removal of trade barriers was the only condition for the establishments of permanent harmony among nations, and might even lead to the disappearance of international politics altogether. For Marx and his followers, capitalism was at the root of international discord and war. They maintained that international socialism would do away with the struggle for power on the international scene and would bring about permanent peace.

In recent times, the conviction that the struggle for power can be eliminated from the international scene has been connected with the great attempts at organising the world such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. The United Nations was thought to usher in a new era of international collaboration to kill power politics, in order that, by the methods of democracy, “the will of the people shall prevail." The reality has, however, been far from encouraging.

  1. dynastic succession

  2. aspiration for power

  3. economic domination of the poor countries

  4. competition for colonies
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The most dominating factor of international politics is aspiration for power. To normalise this, throughout the passage, the talk is about different ways to eliminate power politics. Marx supported that international socialism would do away with struggle for power. Through UNO, democracy woud be ushered in and power politics would be eliminated.

Multiple choice

Jeremy Bentham believed that the root cause of international conflicts was

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

During the nineteenth century, liberals everywhere shared the conviction that power politics and war were residues of on obsolete system of government and that with the victory of democracy and constitutional government over absolutism and autocracy, international harmony and permanent peace would win out over power politics and war. The struggle for power on the international scene was seen as a temporary phenomenon, a historical accident that was bound to disappear once the peculiar conditions that had given rise to it were eliminated. Jeremy Bentham believed that the competition for colonies was at the root of all international conflicts. "Emancipate your colonies" was his advice to the governments and international conflict and war would surely disappear. Adherents of free trade were convinced that the removal of trade barriers was the only condition for the establishments of permanent harmony among nations, and might even lead to the disappearance of international politics altogether. For Marx and his followers, capitalism was at the root of international discord and war. They maintained that international socialism would do away with the struggle for power on the international scene and would bring about permanent peace.

In recent times, the conviction that the struggle for power can be eliminated from the international scene has been connected with the great attempts at organising the world such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. The United Nations was thought to usher in a new era of international collaboration to kill power politics, in order that, by the methods of democracy, “the will of the people shall prevail." The reality has, however, been far from encouraging.

  1. the existence of trade barriers and difficulty in the free flow of international trade

  2. an unending search for wealth in different parts of the world

  3. competition among ambitious countries for colonies

  4. the aggressive sense of superiority with which some nations were plagued
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The line 'Jeremy Bentham believed that the competition for colonies was at the root of all international conflicts' suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

What does a ‘natural’ frontier mean?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The first of the political causes of war is war itself. Many wars have been fought, among other reasons, for the sake of seizing some strategically valuable piece of territory, or in order to secure a ‘natural’ frontier, that is to say, a frontier which is easy to defend and from which it is easy to launch attacks upon one’s neighbours. Purely military advantages are almost as highly praised by the rulers of nations as economic advantages. The possession of an army, navy and air force is itself a reason for going to a war. ‘We must use our forces now’, so runs the militarist’s argument, ‘in order that we may be in a position to use them to better effect next time.’

  1. an area on the border from where you can keep watch on or attack your enemy

  2. some place on the border of a country having beautiful natural scenery

  3. a border line that has been naturally chosen by two neighbouring countries

  4. a sudden gift of land by nature because of sudden change in the course of a river.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the best option according to its context in the passage, as a place to guard or keep a watch or attack.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is correct? ‘Military advantages’ and ‘economic advantages’ :

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The first of the political causes of war is war itself. Many wars have been fought, among other reasons, for the sake of seizing some strategically valuable piece of territory, or in order to secure a ‘natural’ frontier, that is to say, a frontier which is easy to defend and from which it is easy to launch attacks upon one’s neighbours. Purely military advantages are almost as highly praised by the rulers of nations as economic advantages. The possession of an army, navy and air force is itself a reason for going to a war. ‘We must use our forces now’, so runs the militarist’s argument, ‘in order that we may be in a position to use them to better effect next time.’

  1. ae the same for a country

  2. mayor may not be the same but the rules make them appear to be the same

  3. are completely different for a country

  4. go against each other
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is projected in some cases by the rulers.

Multiple choice

Why have wars been fought?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The first of the political causes of war is war itself. Many wars have been fought, among other reasons, for the sake of seizing some strategically valuable piece of territory, or in order to secure a ‘natural’ frontier, that is to say, a frontier which is easy to defend and from which it is easy to launch attacks upon one’s neighbours. Purely military advantages are almost as highly praised by the rulers of nations as economic advantages. The possession of an army, navy and air force is itself a reason for going to a war. ‘We must use our forces now’, so runs the militarist’s argument, ‘in order that we may be in a position to use them to better effect next time.’

  1. to use weapons and make room for fresh purchase

  2. because people want to show their neighbours that they are strong

  3. to capture some areas of another country which are of strategic importance

  4. to teach neighbouring countries a good lesson
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mentioned in the second line.

Multiple choice

The “New Start” treaty was in the news. What is this treaty?

  1. It is a bilateral strategic nuclear arms reduction treaty between the USA and the Russian Federation.

  2. It is a multilateral energy security cooperation treaty among the members of the East Asia Summit.

  3. It is a treaty between the Russian Federation and the European Union for the energy security cooperation.

  4. It is multilateral cooperation treaty among the BRICS countries for the promotioin of trade.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

New START (for Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation with the formal name of Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. It was signed on 8 April, 2010 in Prague, and, after ratification, entered into force on 5 February, 2011. It is expected to last at least until 2021.

Multiple choice

Minsk Protocol refers to

  1. ceasefire agreement

  2. industrialisation treaty

  3. nuclear agreement

  4. online data protection protocol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Representatives of Ukraine, the Russian Federation, the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), and the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) signed the Minsk Protocol, an agreement to halt the war in Donbass region of Ukraine, on 5th September 2014. 

Multiple choice

Modern warfare has changed from large scale clashes of armies to suppression of civilian populations. Chemical agents that do their work silently appear to be suited to such warfare and regretfully, there exist people in military establishments who think that chemical agents are useful tools for their cause.

Which of the following statements best sums up the meaning of the above passage?

  1. Modern warfare has resulted in civil strife.

  2. Chemical agents are useful in modern warfare.

  3. People in military establishments like to use chemical agents in war.

  4. Use of chemical agents in warfare would be undesirable.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Civil strife means civil disorder, a term used to describe unrest caused by a group of people, which is not true in the light of the given passage. So, (1) is not the correct option. (2) is incorrect because there is no fact in the data justifying the usefulness of chemical agents for warfare. (4) is also incorrect because it is mentioned in the second line that chemical agents appear to be suited for such warfare, which implies that they are desirable. It is mentioned in the last line that there exist people in military establishments who think that chemical agents are useful for warfare, which makes (3) correct.

Multiple choice

Which action by Clinton administration best reflects the ideas about the scope of government?

  1. Pursuing military interventions in the Balkans and Somalia

  2. Enactment of welfare reform to encourage self-reliance

  3. The negotiation of free trade among North American countries

  4. The effort to enact universal health care legislation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which reformed welfare, was a signature policy of the Clinton administration that emphasized individual self-reliance over government dependence.

Multiple choice

What was is the defination of detente

  1. not easing tentions with a foreign countries

  2. eating more

  3. military strikes

  4. easing hostile or strained relations with a foreign country
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Detente refers to the easing of strained relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1970s. This period of improved Cold War relations included arms control agreements like SALT and increased diplomatic engagement.

Multiple choice

What is the Kellogg-Briand Pact

  1. Kellogg company for cereal

  2. Condemned war as a means of foreign policy

  3. maintain peace
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) was an international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve disputes or conflicts.

Multiple choice

What is the policy that promotes interest in Latin America

  1. Open Door Policy

  2. Close Door Policy

  3. Open Neighbor policy

  4. Good Neighbor Policy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Good Neighbor Policy was the foreign policy of the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt toward the countries of Latin America, emphasizing non-intervention and non-interference.