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Difference Between Gender Studies and Women’s Studies: Exploring Two Interconnected Fields

Gender Studies and Women’s Studies are often perceived as interchangeable, but while they share many commonalities, they are distinct academic disciplines with unique focuses and objectives. 

Both fields seek to examine the impact of gender on society, challenge traditional norms, and advocate for equality. However, Women’s Studies centers primarily on the experiences and contributions of women, while Gender Studies encompasses a broader analysis of gender, including masculinity, queer identities, and the intersection of gender with other social categories like race and class. 

This blog post delves into the differences and overlaps between these two fields, exploring their histories, key concepts, and their relevance in contemporary academic and social contexts.

The Historical Roots of Women’s Studies

Women’s Studies emerged in the 1960s and 1970s during the height of the second-wave feminist movement. Activists and scholars during this period sought to challenge patriarchal structures and to bring women’s voices and experiences into the academic discourse. 

At the time, the traditional academic disciplines (such as history, philosophy, and literature) largely ignored or marginalized women’s contributions, portraying human history and society predominantly through the lens of male experience.

Women’s Studies arose out of the desire to correct this imbalance. It focused on examining women’s roles in various spheres—politics, economics, culture, and society—and on critiquing the ways women were excluded or oppressed by patriarchal systems. 

Early Women’s Studies programs were established as a response to the lack of feminist perspectives in higher education, offering a space for the academic study of women’s history, literature, and social roles.

From the beginning, Women’s Studies was deeply connected to activism. Scholars in the field aimed not only to produce knowledge but also to advocate for social change. 

Issues like reproductive rights, gender-based violence, workplace inequality, and representation in politics were central to both academic inquiry and real-world feminist activism.

The Emergence of Gender Studies

While Women’s Studies focused on women’s issues, Gender Studies developed later, in the 1980s and 1990s, as scholars began to recognize that focusing solely on women’s experiences did not provide a complete picture of how gender operates in society. 

Gender Studies expanded the lens to include men, masculinity, and individuals who do not fit neatly into traditional gender categories. It emerged out of a growing awareness that gender is a complex, multifaceted social construct that shapes the lives of all individuals, not just women.

One of the key differences between Gender Studies and Women’s Studies is that Gender Studies examines the roles and expectations placed on all genders. 

It critically analyzes the ways society defines masculinity and femininity and explores how these definitions affect individuals and social structures. 

Gender Studies also emphasizes the fluidity of gender, challenging the binary understanding of male and female and highlighting the experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and queer individuals.

Key Concepts in Women’s Studies

1. Patriarchy and Power Structures

A central theme in Women’s Studies is the analysis of patriarchy—a social system in which men hold primary power and dominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and social privilege. Patriarchy is seen as the root cause of many forms of oppression faced by women, including wage gaps, reproductive rights restrictions, and gender-based violence. Women’s Studies examines how patriarchal systems are maintained and how they can be dismantled to achieve gender equality.

2. Feminism

Feminism is the ideological foundation of Women’s Studies. It encompasses a range of movements and theories that advocate for the political, social, and economic equality of women. Different waves of feminism—ranging from the suffrage movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to modern-day intersectional feminism—are studied to understand the historical evolution of women’s rights and the ongoing struggles for gender equality.

3. Women’s History and Contributions

A key component of Women’s Studies is reclaiming women’s history and recognizing their contributions to society. Traditionally, historical narratives have been male-dominated, often overlooking or marginalizing the accomplishments of women. Women’s Studies seeks to correct this by highlighting the achievements of women in politics, science, literature, and other fields. By doing so, the field challenges the notion that men alone have shaped history.

4. Reproductive Rights and Bodily Autonomy

The fight for reproductive rights has been a cornerstone of feminist activism and, by extension, Women’s Studies. This area of study examines issues such as access to contraception, abortion rights, and healthcare. 

The emphasis on bodily autonomy reflects the broader feminist goal of ensuring that women have control over their own bodies and reproductive choices.

Key Concepts in Gender Studies

1. Gender as a Social Construct

One of the foundational concepts in Gender Studies is the idea that gender is socially constructed rather than biologically determined. 

This means that the roles and expectations associated with being male or female are not fixed or natural but are created and reinforced by societal norms. 

Gender Studies scholars examine how these constructs vary across cultures and historical periods and how they shape individual identities and social hierarchies.

2. Intersectionality

While intersectionality is also a key concept in Women’s Studies, it plays an even more prominent role in Gender Studies due to the field’s broader focus on multiple identities. 

Intersectionality, introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the way in which different social identities—such as gender, race, class, and sexuality—overlap and intersect, creating unique experiences of privilege or oppression. 

Gender Studies uses intersectionality to analyze how different forms of inequality compound one another and to highlight the experiences of marginalized individuals, including women of color, LGBTQ+ people, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

3. Masculinity Studies

Gender Studies also examines the social construction of masculinity and the pressures men face to conform to traditional gender roles. 

Masculinity Studies explores the harmful effects of toxic masculinity, which emphasizes traits like emotional suppression, dominance, and aggression.

 These norms not only contribute to gender inequality but also negatively impact men’s mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. 

By analyzing masculinity, Gender Studies seeks to dismantle harmful stereotypes that limit men’s emotional expression and participation in more nurturing, cooperative roles.

4. Queer Theory

Queer Theory is a subfield of Gender Studies that challenges heteronormative assumptions about sexuality and gender identity. 

It questions binary understandings of male/female and straight/gay, advocating for a more fluid and inclusive view of human identity. 

Queer Theory also critiques societal norms that marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals and seeks to create spaces where diverse gender expressions and sexual orientations are recognized and valued.

Comparison Table: Key Differences Between Gender Studies and Women Studies

AspectWomen’s StudiesGender Studies
FocusPrimarily on women’s experiences and contributionsBroader focus on gender, including masculinity and queer identities
Key ConceptsFeminism, patriarchy, women’s historyGender as a social construct, intersectionality, masculinity studies, queer theory
Historical ContextEmerged from the feminist movement in the 1960sDeveloped later to address broader gender issues
IntersectionalityExplores intersectional experiences but mainly centered on womenStrong emphasis on how multiple identities intersect (race, class, sexuality)
ObjectivesAdvocate for women’s rights and gender equalityAnalyze and challenge traditional gender norms and roles for all genders
ActivismStrong ties to feminist activismSupports a broader spectrum of gender activism, including LGBTQ+ rights
MethodologiesQualitative research, feminist theoryInterdisciplinary methods, incorporating various theories and perspectives

Overlaps Between Women’s Studies and Gender Studies

While there are distinct differences between Women’s Studies and Gender Studies, the two fields share many common goals and ideas. Both disciplines are deeply concerned with issues of power, inequality, and social justice. 

Both challenge the traditional binary understanding of gender and work to dismantle systems of oppression that marginalize individuals based on their gender or sexual identity.

In practice, many academic programs integrate both Women’s Studies and Gender Studies into a single curriculum, reflecting the growing recognition that understanding gender inequality requires a broad, intersectional approach. 

By combining the insights of both fields, scholars and students are better equipped to analyze how gender intersects with race, class, and sexuality to shape individual experiences and social structures.

The Importance of Both Fields in Contemporary Society

In today’s world, where gender issues are increasingly at the forefront of political and social debates, both Women’s Studies and Gender Studies play a crucial role in shaping public discourse. 

Issues like gender-based violence, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and workplace inequality are all central concerns in both fields, and the insights they provide are essential for creating a more just and equitable society.

Women’s Studies continues to advocate for the recognition of women’s contributions and the dismantling of patriarchal systems, while Gender Studies expands the conversation to include a broader range of gender identities and expressions. 

Together, these fields offer the tools to challenge gender-based oppression in all its forms and to envision a world where all individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal rights and opportunities.

Difference Between Gender and Women Studies in the Pursuit of Equality

While Women’s Studies and Gender Studies share many similarities, they differ in their scope and focus. Women’s Studies centers on the experiences, contributions, and challenges of women, advocating for gender equality by addressing patriarchal structures. 

Gender Studies, on the other hand, takes a more expansive view, examining how gender roles and identities affect everyone—men, women, and nonbinary individuals alike. Both fields are essential for understanding the complexities of gender in society and for working towards a more inclusive and equitable world. 

As academic disciplines, they provide critical insights into how gender shapes human experience and offer a roadmap for dismantling the systems of power that perpetuate inequality.

 

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Introduction to Gender Studies: Understanding Identity, Society, and Equality

In today’s world, conversations about gender have become increasingly central to discussions on identity, human rights, and societal structures.

Gender Studies, a multidisciplinary field that examines the social and cultural constructions of gender, provides an academic platform for exploring these complex and evolving issues.

It investigates how gender intersects with other social categories like race, class, and sexuality, shaping individual experiences and societal expectations.

This introduction to Gender Studies will explore its origins, key concepts, significance in contemporary society, and the ways it challenges conventional ideas about identity and power.

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Special CSS 2023 International Relations I MCQs 15 October 2023

1. Nation building is best described as:
A. Relations with neighbors
B. National identity
C. Rule of Law
D. Policy of isolation

B. National identity

2. _________ claims that rich core capitalist societies succeed by exploiting poorer peripheral ones:
A. World Economic Forum
B. World Politics Review
C. World Development Report
D. World System Theory

D. World System Theory

3. The main aim of CTBT is:
A. Prevent the spread of Nuclear weapons
B. Eliminating Nuclear Weapons
C. Spread Nuclear Technology for Peace
D. Complete Cessation of Nuclear Testing

D. Complete Cessation of Nuclear Testing

4. Southwest Asia is also Known as:
A. Eurasia
B. Middle East
C. Asia Pacific
D. Greater Asia

B. Middle East

5. Washington Consensus is:
A. To maximize global welfare
B. To make new world order
C. To fight against terrorism
D. To support human right organizations

A. To maximize global welfare

6. The Fourteen Points of US President Woodrow Wilson were enunciated in:
A. The Conference of Versailles
B. The Congress of Vienna
C. The Yalta Conference MNCs are considered
D. None of these

A. The Conference of Versailles

7. MNC’s are considered _________ in formation of state foreign policy.
A. Regional Actors
B. Interstate Actors
C. Non State Actors
D. Supranational Actors

C. Non State Actors

8. _______ invaded China in 1938 as part of a mass campaign of territorial expansion:
A. USA
B. Germany
C. Soviet Union
D. Japan

D. Japan

9. Concert diplomacy is:
A. Organise diplomatic interaction
B. New laws for diplomacy
C. Harmonized diplomatic negotiations
D. Luna-55

C. Harmonized diplomatic negotiations

10. The term ‘containment’ was coined by:
A. Harry S Trueman
B. F. W. de Klark
C. George F Kennan
D. Alfred Dreyfus

C. George F Kennan

11. Two Goals of the World Bank includes:
A. Eradicating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity
B. Reducing trade barriers and boosting trade
C. Increase foreign direct investment and promote economic stability
D. All of these

A. Eradicating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity

12. La Patrie a French word used for
A. Motherland
B. Citizens
C. Fatherland
D. Empire

C. Fatherland

13. Author of the book “The Indus Saga and Making of Pakistan” is:
A. Aitzaz Ahsan
B. Sherry Rehman
C. Shirin Mazari
D. Rashid Ahmed

A. Aitzaz Ahsan

14. Article 5 of NATO deals with:
A. Collective Security
B. Collective Engagement
C. Collective Defense
D. Collective Responsibility

C. Collective Defense

15. In the constitution of USA, the first ten amendments are called:
A. The rights of president
B. The bill of judicial review
C. The bill of Rights
D. The bill of check and balances

C. The bill of Rights

16. An increase in the amount of nuclear weapons in the world is referred as:
A. Zero Sum Game
B. Horizontal Proliferation
C. Vertical Proliferation
D. None of these

B. Horizontal Proliferation

17. UNFCCC stands for:
A. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
B. United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change
C. United Nations Framework Covenant on Climate Change
D. None of these

A. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

18. Contemporary Diplomacy is conducted by:
A. State Actors
B. State and non state Actors
C. Trained diplomats
D. Citizens Page

B. State and non state Actors

19. International Relations is best explained by the theory of:
A. Constructivism
B. Liberalism
C. Realism
D. Idealism

C. Realism

20. _________ is the father of Pragmatism:
A. Charles Sanders Peirce
B. Kenneth waltz
C. William James
D. John Ruggie

A. Charles Sanders Peirce

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Special CSS 2023 International Law MCQs 17 October 2023

1. Delicts juris gentium means:
A. Wrongs recognized by private International law
B. Wrongs recognized by public international law
C. Wrongs recognized by law in general
D. None of these

B. Wrongs recognized by public international law

2. Subject of International law are:
A. State entity
B. Non state entity
C. Both A and B
D. None of these

C. Both A and B

3. The charter of UN was drawn up by:
A. Moscow and Tehran conference 1943
B. London declaration 1943
C. San Francisco Conference 1945
D. None of these

C. San Francisco Conference 1945

4. Article 5 of the International court of justice envisage:
A. Crime within jurisdiction of Court
B. Crime against humanity
C. War Crime
D. None of these

D. None of these

5. Treaties are the “supreme law of the land”, where it is laid down?
A. Constitution of UK
B. Constitution of USA
C. UN charter
D. None of these

B. Constitution of USA

6. Rebus sic stantibus means:
A. He who owns the surface has title both to the airspace above and under subsoil
B. He who owns the surface has title to the airspace above only
C. An obligation that agreement come to an end with change of circumstances
D. None of these

C. An obligation that agreement come to an end with change of circumstances

7. Jura in re aliena:
A. Rights on ones own territory
B. Rights in another property
C. Law of another country
D. None of these

B. Rights in another property

8. Ratione temporis means:
A. By reason of the subject matter
B. Not subject to any sovereignty.
C. Conditioned by reference to time
D. None of these

C. Conditioned by reference to time

9. Res nullius means:
A. Ownerless property
B. Unauthorized use of territory
C. Authorized use of property
D. None of these

A. Ownerless property

10. Stipulation pour autrui means:
A. Contractual obligation in favour of one party
B. Contractual obligation in favour of third part
C. Agreements are made to be fulfilled
D. None of these

B. Contractual obligation in favour of third part

11. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights was adopted in:
A. 1976
B. 1969
C. 1966
D. None of these

C. 1966

12. The International Covenant on Civil and political rights was adopted in:
A. 1966
B. 1949
C. 1986
D. None of these

A. 1966

13. Erga omnes means:
A. Binding on all states irrespective of consent
B. Binding on consenting parties
C. Rules governing conduct of war
D. None of these

A. Binding on all states irrespective of consent

14. Article 59 of statute of ICJ provides that:
A. The decision of Court has binding force except between parties
B. The decision of Court has no binding force except between parties
C. Statue of ICJ refers to a general practice accepted as law.
D. None of these

B. The decision of Court has no binding force except between parties

15. Jus Sanguinis means:
A. Mode of acquiring nationality by fact of birth
B. Mode of acquiring nationality by fact of descent
C. Aw of acquiring nationality
D. None of these

B. Mode of acquiring nationality by fact of descent

16. Article 62 of the Vienna convention on the law of treaties 1969 deals with:
A. Reservation clauses in a treaty
B. Effect of treaty
C. Pacta sunt servanda
D. None of these

A. Reservation clauses in a treaty

17. Dejure recognition of the state is:
A. A permanent and legal recognition
B. A temporary recognition
C. Necessary for defacto recognition
D. None of these

A. A permanent and legal recognition

18. Jus ad bellum means:
A. Rules governing conduct of war
B. Rules governing resort to war
C. Agreements binding on states
D. None of these

B. Rules governing resort to war

19. Jus cogen are peremptory norms from which a derogation is:
A. Possible with consent of states
B. Possible with approval of UN
C. Possible through bilateral treaty
D. None of these

D. None of these

20. The Estrada doctrine relates to:
A. Delimitation of boundaries
B. Jurisdiction over aliens
C. Recognition of states
D. None of these

C. Recognition of states

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Special CSS 2023 History of USA MCQs 17 October 2023

1. In his first voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus first landed in:
A. Cuba
B. Trinidad
C. Bahamas
D. None of these

C. Bahamas

2. George Washington became President in
A. 1781
B. 1789
C. 1801
D. None of these

B. 1789

3. The Declaration of Independence was written by
A. George Washington
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. John Adams
D. None of these

B. Thomas Jefferson

4. The American National Anthem was composed by
A. Frances Scott Key
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. Patrick Henry
D. None of these

A. Frances Scott Key

5. Before Civil War the principal crop of the South was
A. Tobacco
B. Cotton
C. Sugarcane
D. None of these

B. Cotton

6. What revolution in Europe was influenced most directly by the American Revolution?
A. Glorious Revolution
B. French Revolution
C. Industrial Revolution
D. None of these

B. French Revolution

7. Alaska was purchased from Russia in
A. 1867
B. 1857
C. 1847
D. None of these

A. 1867

8. Jefferson purchased Louisiana from
A. Spain
B. Germany
C. France
D. None of these

C. France

9. The first capital of the United States was
A. New York City
B. Washington
C. Philadelphia
D. None of these

A. New York City

10. In 1836 Texas declared its independence from
A. Mexico
B. France
C. Spain
D. None of these

A. Mexico

11. Texas was annexed by the United States as the
A. 28th state of the Union
B. 29th state of the Union
C. 27th state of the Union
D. None of these

A. 28th state of the Union

12. Which territory joined the Union after Alaska?
A. Arizona
B. Hawaii
C. Oregon
D. None of these

B. Hawaii

13. Who is known as the ‘Father of the Constitution’?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. George Washington
C. James Madison
D. None of these

C. James Madison

14. The concept of ‘Separation of Powers’ in US Constitution was taken from
A. Montesquieu
B. Voltaire
C. Rousseau
D. None of these

A. Montesquieu

15. Watergate Scandal came to light in
A. 1972
B. 1982
C. 1962
D. None of these

A. 1972

16. Which Amendment to the Constitution limited presidents to a maximum of two terms in office?
A. 22nd
B. 23rd
C. 24th
D. None of these

A. 22nd

17. The United States entered World War One in
A. 1915
B. 1917
C. 1918
D. None of these

B. 1917

18. The League of Nations was effectively dissolved in
A. April 1945
B. April 1946
C. Dec 1946
D. None of these

B. April 1946

19. Attack on Pearl Harbor took place in
A. 1940
B. 1941
C. 1942
D. None of these

B. 1941

20. Diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China were established in
A. 1979
B. 1980
C. 1981
D. None of these

A. 1979

Special CSS 2023 History of USA MCQs 17 October 2023 Read More »

International Law MCQs

CSS 2016 MCQs

1. Supervening impossibility:
A. Renders the treaty invalid
B. Terminates the treaty
C. Has no effect on the treaty
D. None of these

B. Terminates the treaty

2. Under the Convention of the Law of the Sea, the breadth of the territorial Sea is:
A. 6 nautical miles
B. 8 nautical miles
C. 12 nautical miles
D. None of these

C. 12 nautical miles

3. The Harmon Doctrine is :
A. Part of International Law
B. Was renounced before it could take roots in International Law
C. Is attempting to earn general acceptance
D. None of these

4. International Law prescribes;
A. A form for the making of international agreements
B. A procedure for the making of. international agreement
C. either form nor procedure but leaves it to the will and convenience of the parties
D. None of these

A. A form for the making of international agreements

5. The limit of the territorial Waters of Pakistan is:
A. 12 nautical miles
B. 20 nautical miles
C. 24 nautical miles beyond the land territory and internal waters; of Pakistan measured from the baseline
D. None of these

A. 12 nautical miles

6. Continental Shelf of Pakistan, may extend up to a distance of:
A. 150 nautical miles
B. 200 nautical miles
C. 300 nautical miles beyond the limit of its territorial waters
D. None of these

B. 200 nautical miles

7. When did East Timor become the member of UNO?
A. 15th September 2002
B. 19th September 2002
C. 14th September 2002
D. 27th September 2002

D. 27th September 2002

8. Which day is celebrated as United Nations Day in the world?
A. September 24
B. August 24
C. October 24
D. November 24

C. October 24

9. Pakistan became the member of UNO on:
A. 30 September, 1947
B. 20 August, 1947
C. 31 December, 1948
D. 30 September, 1948

A. 30 September, 1947

10. Which treaty ended the Mexican-American War of 1844-1846?
A. Treaty of New Echota
B. Treaty of Sevres
C. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
D. Treaty of Shackamaxon 1

C. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

11. Which treaty ended the Crimean War of 1853-1856?
A. Treaty of Paris
B. Treaty of Ancon
C. Treaty of Neuilly
D. Treaty of Waitangi

A. Treaty of Paris

12. Which treaty ended the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871?
A. Treaty of Trianon
B. Poona Treaty
C. Treaty of Tubingen
D. Treaty of Frankfurt

D. Treaty of Frankfurt

13. Which treaty ended the War of the Pacific of 1879-1883?
A. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
B. Treaty with Tripoli
C. Treaty of Hudaybiyah
D. Treaty of Ancon

D. Treaty of Ancon

14. Which treaty ended the Boer War of 1899-1902?
A. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
B. Treaty of Utrecht
C. Treaty of Vereeniging
D. Treaty of Tubingen

C. Treaty of Vereeniging

15. Which treaty ended the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905?
A. Treaty of Portsmouth
B. Treaty of Westphalia
C. Treaty of Neuilly
D. Poona Treaty

A. Treaty of Portsmouth

16. Subject of International Law are :
A. States
B. Individuals
C. Both of these
D. None of these

C. Both of these

17. International Law:
A. is superior to National Law
B. Is inferior to National Law
C. Has nothing to do with it
D. None of these

B. Is inferior to National Law

18. The General Assembly is:
A. The principal Organ of UNO
B. An ordinary of UNO
C. A check on the Security Council
D. None of these

A. The principal Organ of UNO

19. International Court of Justice has its head office in
A. Hague
B. New York
C. Paris (France)
D. Geneva

A. Hague

20. Who appoints the Judges of International Court of Justice?
A. General Assembly only
B. Security Council only
C. Secretary-General of the UN
D. General Assembly and Security Council

D. General Assembly and Security Council

International Law MCQs Read More »

International Relations-II Repeated Questions from 2016-2022

Highlighted topics are the most repeated topics. So cover them first.

Russia or USSR or SU or Bolshevik
Q. No. 2. Discuss the core causes of the “Bolshevik Revolution” in Russia and explain its fundamental political and socio-economic impact on Western European politics. (2016)
Q. No. 2. To what extent did the regime established in Russia by the Bolsheviks represent its revolutionary ideology for consumerism, political stability, law and order, and social progress? (2018)
Q3. What are the Russian objectives behind the military intervention in Ukraine? Discuss Whether western sanctions can prove effective as an instrument to counter the Russian act. (2022)
Q. No. 7. Discuss Russia’s return to South Asia and United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy. (2020)

Germany or Nazism
Q. No. 2. What were the foundational principles of Nazism using which Hitler raised to power in Germany? (2019)

Clash of Civilization
Q. No. 3. Critically analyze Samuel P. Huntington’s concept of “Clash of Civilizations”. Define its main characteristics and explain its devastating consequences on the different leading civilizations of the nations. (2016)

Foreign Policy
Q. No. 4. Discuss the moral imperatives of “Indian Foreign Policy” with the contending spirit of “Panchsheel” and evaluate how much it helps to strengthen diplomatic objectives of the country’s foreign policy? (2016)
Q. No. 5. An analysis of the anatomy of foreign policy is an essential pre-requisite to an understanding of the dynamics of International Relations. Analyze the central theme of Pakistan’s foreign policy in the war against terrorism? (2018)
Q. No. 6. How do rational theories of foreign policy explain state decision making? Discuss the tenets of the theory in light of the decision made by Pakistan in response to Saudi request of sending troops during the Yemen crisis in 2015. (2019)
Q3. Give a critical appraisal of Pakistan’s foreign policy from the perspective of Climate Change. (2021)
Q. No. 4. The manner in which a nation’s ideology dominates its foreign policy is constantly in confusion. Explore the relationship between capitalist democracy and foreign policy of the United States of America. (2018)

Pakistan & Afghanistan or Afghanistan only
Q. No. 5. Critically discuss main political, socio-economic and strategic hurdles between “Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations” and how can both countries come out from the Cold War scenario? (2016)
Q. No. 8. The most compelling challenge facing Afghanistan today is, dealing with the Afghan Taliban. What do you think of political engagement and accommodation between the Afghan government and Taliban giving way to stability in the region? (2018)
Q4. What could be the reason for the emerging water conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan? (2021)
Q. No. 6. Comment in detail on mechanism of conflict resolution between Pakistan and Afghanistan and on Durand line issue. (2020)
Q8. What are China’s interests in Afghanistan? Discuss its role and options in the country following the US exit. (2022)

Pakistan & India
Q. No. 2. Evaluate the significance of conflict between India and Pakistan in global perspective of terrorism. (2017)
Q. No. 6. Evaluate the significance of water conflict between India and Pakistan in perspective of Indus Water Treaty.( 2017)
Q5. How have the nuclear doctrines of India and Pakistan evolved? What do their current doctrines imply for deterrence stability in South Asia? (2022)
Q. No. 6. One of the most serious dilemmas of South Asian politics is the contentious relations between Pakistan and India. What measures would you consider for normalization between the two neighbors? (2018)
Q. No. 7. What benefits India might have gained by joining the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)? Highlight possible impacts it may have upon strategic stability in South Asia (2019)
Q. No. 7. Discuss “Nuclear Factor” as one of the major determinants of International politics with reference to USA, India, and Pakistan. (2017)

Kashmir Conflict
Q. No. 7. Prepare a study in which you assess the possibility of settlement of the Kashmir conflict such as in the case of East Timor or Bosnian crisis? (2018)

Balance of Power
Q6. Define the “Balancing Act” in International Relations. What are Pakistan’s imperatives and constraints with regard to maintaining balance in relations with the major powers? (2022)

Diplomacy
Q. No. 8. Explain the following diagram in the light of multi-track diplomacy. Which is the most important track of diplomacy and why? (2020)

Water Conflict
Q4. What could be the reason for the emerging water conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan? (2021)
Q. No. 2. Evaluate the significance of conflict between India and Pakistan in global perspective of terrorism. (2017)

Covid-19 pandemic
Q6. What is a pandemic? How can the pandemic management strategy be made part of the governance system of Pakistan? (2021)

Governance
Q6. What is a pandemic? How can the pandemic management strategy be made part of the governance system of Pakistan? (2021)

Climate Change
Q. No. 8. Pakistan is one of the top 10 countries hit by global climate change trends: what can be the ways and means to manage climate change trends? (2017)
Q. No. 2. What are the multidimensional and multifaceted impacts of climate change on multiple dimensions of security? Identify each, discuss and analyze under the theoretical framework of Security and International Relations. (2020)

Cold War
Q. No. 5. Critically discuss main political, socio-economic and strategic hurdles between “Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations” and how can both countries come out from the Cold War scenario? (2016)
Q. No. 3. Evaluate the strength and liabilities of the “containment of world revolution policy” during the cold war. (2018)
Q. No. 3. Cold war is considered as one of the longest peace in great powers’ history. What deterministic factors ensured relative peace in great powers’ relations during the Cold War? (2019)

Nuclear Program
Q. No. 6. Discuss the “Moral Dimensions of Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme”. Explain its essential features and justify its offensive gesture which maintained the national and regional strategic balance. (2016)
Q5. How have the nuclear doctrines of India and Pakistan evolved? What do their current doctrines imply for deterrence stability in South Asia? (2022)
Q. No. 7. Discuss “Nuclear Factor” as one of the major determinants of International politics with reference to USA, India, and Pakistan. (2017)

IMF
Q. No. 7. Critically discuss the fundamental factors of “Greece Economic Crisis” which need huge financial assistance from European Union and IMF as debt relief to create “a breathing space” to stabilize the economy and explain the out-of-the-box solution for the crisis-ridden country. (2016)
Q. No. 8. What are the major policy prescriptions of structural adjustment and stabilization of the World Bank and IMF vis-à-vis Pakistan? (2019)

Economic Crisis
Q. No. 7. Critically discuss the fundamental factors of “Greece Economic Crisis” which need huge financial assistance from European Union and IMF as debt relief to create “a breathing space” to stabilize the economy and explain the out-of-the-box solution for the crisis-ridden country. (2016)

International Political Economy or International Financial Institution
Q7. Examine the achievements and challenges in EU-Pakistan relations from the perspective of International political economy. (2022)
Q. No. 4. Determine the factors in the emergence of Neoliberal Institutionalism; highlight your discussion with practices of International Financial Institutions and Pakistan. (2017)

Energy Crisis or Energy Policy
Q. No. 5. How can the energy Crisis of Pakistan be resolved? Emphasize your discussion vis-a-vis China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. (2017)
Q5. Discuss the National Energy Policy of Pakistan in the context of the CPEC signed in 2015. (2021)

CPEC or OBOR
Q. No. 5. How can the energy Crisis of Pakistan be resolved? Emphasize your discussion vis-a-vis China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. (2017)
Q2. Examine China Strategic Vision behind ‘The Belt and Road initiative (BRI)’? Also known as the one belt one road (OBOR). (2021)
Q5. Discuss the National Energy Policy of Pakistan in the context of the CPEC signed in 2015. (2021)

Pakistan & Middle East or Muslim World
Q. No. 8. Pakistan has formally joined Saudi Arabia’s led 34-state Islamic military alliance to contain terrorism and extremism in Southwest Asia. Critically discuss whether or not Pakistan participates in the newly formed military alliance against terrorism and explain its political, socio-cultural and strategic implications on the country. (2016)
Q. No. 6. How do rational theories of foreign policy explain state decision making? Discuss the tenets of the theory in light of the decision made by Pakistan in response to Saudi request of sending troops during the Yemen crisis in 2015. (2019)

Regional Organization
Q. No. 5. SAARC is facing an existential crisis. How do functionalists explain the failure of SAARC as a regional organization? (2019)
Q7. Why and when was the BRICS established? Which countries are part of BRICS? (2021)
Q4. Why does South Asia remain the least integrated region in the world? What lessons can SAARC draw from the EU and ASEAN experience in regional integration? (2022)

Pakistan & EU
Q7. Examine the achievements and challenges in EU-Pakistan relations from the perspective of International political economy. (2022)

South Asia
Q4. Why does South Asia remain the least integrated region in the world? What lessons can SAARC draw from the EU and ASEAN experience in regional integration? (2022)
Q5. How have the nuclear doctrines of India and Pakistan evolved? What do their current doctrines imply for deterrence stability in South Asia? (2022)
Q. No. 6. One of the most serious dilemmas of South Asian politics is the contentious relations between Pakistan and India. What measures would you consider for normalization between the two neighbors? (2018)
Q. No. 7. Discuss Russia’s return to South Asia and United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy. (2020)
Q. No. 7. What benefits India might have gained by joining the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)? Highlight possible impacts it may have upon strategic stability in South Asia (2019)

Warfare or Hybrid Warfare
Q8. How can Pakistan develop credible capabilities to deter ‘Hybrid’ warfare? (2021)

US & China or global powers
Q8. What are China’s interests in Afghanistan? Discuss its role and options in the country following the US exit. (2022)
Q. No. 5. Differentiate between Washington consensus and Beijing consensus. Is Beijing consensus a challenge to the Washington consensus? (2020)
Q2. What are the key features of the US new Indo-Pacific strategy under Joe Biden’s administration? How does it treat China? (2022)
Q. No. 4. World orders are established by great powers in order to serve their interests. What are the foundations of existing world order(s) and how do they serve the interests of great powers? (2019)

Indo-Pacific
Q2. What are the key features of the US new Indo-Pacific strategy under Joe Biden’s administration? How does it treat China? (2022)
Q. No. 7. Discuss Russia’s return to South Asia and United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy. (2020)

Terrorism
Q. No. 5. An analysis of the anatomy of foreign policy is an essential pre-requisite to an understanding of the dynamics of International Relations. Analyze the central theme of Pakistan’s foreign policy in the war against terrorism? (2018)
Q. No. 2. Evaluate the significance of conflict between India and Pakistan in global perspective of terrorism. (2017)
Q. No. 8. Pakistan has formally joined Saudi Arabia’s led 34-state Islamic military alliance to contain terrorism and extremism in Southwest Asia. Critically discuss whether or not Pakistan participates in the newly formed military alliance against terrorism and explain its political, socio-cultural and strategic implications on the country. (2016)
Q. No. 4. Why is it difficult to define terrorism? Elaborate upon the following: (2020)
(a) Feminization of terrorism
(b) Criminalization of terrorism
(c) Commercialization of terrorism
(d) State-terrorism

Miscellaneous
Q. No. 3. Elaborate Systems Thinking Theory in view of Pakistan and Globalization. (2017)
Q. No. 3. What are the four essentials of Resource Management? When does a resource become an element of power “OR” a resource curse? Discuss the Reko-Diq case in this context. (2020)

 

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