Q.1 Which of the following best defines 'conflict' in international relations?
A disagreement within a family
A clash of interests between states or groups
A debate in parliament
An academic discussion
Explanation - In international relations, conflict refers to a situation where states or groups perceive their interests as incompatible, often leading to disputes or violence.
Correct answer is: A clash of interests between states or groups
Q.2 What is the primary goal of peace studies?
To promote war strategies
To analyze economic growth
To understand and reduce violent conflict
To increase military power
Explanation - Peace studies aims to identify causes of conflict and develop methods to resolve disputes peacefully, thereby reducing violence.
Correct answer is: To understand and reduce violent conflict
Q.3 Which theory argues that international institutions help reduce conflict?
Realism
Liberalism
Marxism
Constructivism
Explanation - Liberal theories emphasize that international organizations and cooperation between states can help prevent conflict and maintain peace.
Correct answer is: Liberalism
Q.4 The Cold War is best described as:
A direct military war between the US and USSR
A period of ideological rivalry without direct large-scale war
A trade dispute
A civil war within Europe
Explanation - The Cold War (1947–1991) involved intense rivalry between the US and USSR, primarily ideological, political, and economic, without direct warfare.
Correct answer is: A period of ideological rivalry without direct large-scale war
Q.5 What is 'collective security' in international relations?
One state's military protection
An agreement where states promise to defend each other against aggression
A personal security guard
A national defense system only
Explanation - Collective security means states agree that an attack on one is an attack on all, aiming to deter aggression collectively.
Correct answer is: An agreement where states promise to defend each other against aggression
Q.6 The concept of 'balance of power' is associated with which theory?
Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Feminism
Explanation - Realist theory argues that states balance power to prevent domination by one state, thus maintaining stability.
Correct answer is: Realism
Q.7 Which of these is a non-violent method of conflict resolution?
Negotiation
Invasion
Bombing
Sanctions with military enforcement
Explanation - Negotiation is a peaceful method where parties discuss differences and seek compromise without violence.
Correct answer is: Negotiation
Q.8 Who proposed the idea of 'perpetual peace' through republican constitutions and international law?
Thomas Hobbes
Immanuel Kant
Karl Marx
Hans Morgenthau
Explanation - Kant in his essay 'Perpetual Peace' (1795) argued for democratic governance and international cooperation to ensure lasting peace.
Correct answer is: Immanuel Kant
Q.9 What is the main role of the United Nations Security Council?
To manage global trade
To ensure international peace and security
To promote cultural exchange
To control world sports
Explanation - The UN Security Council is tasked with maintaining peace by authorizing peacekeeping missions, sanctions, or military action when necessary.
Correct answer is: To ensure international peace and security
Q.10 Which of the following conflicts is considered an intrastate conflict?
World War I
World War II
The Syrian Civil War
The Cold War
Explanation - Intrastate conflicts occur within a single country, such as the Syrian Civil War, whereas interstate conflicts occur between states.
Correct answer is: The Syrian Civil War
Q.11 What is 'negative peace' according to Johan Galtung?
The absence of direct violence
The presence of social justice
The spread of democracy
The balance of power
Explanation - Galtung defined negative peace as simply the absence of war or direct violence, without addressing deeper structural causes.
Correct answer is: The absence of direct violence
Q.12 Which of these is a cause of conflict in international relations?
Shared culture
Mutual respect
Territorial disputes
Cultural exchange
Explanation - Conflicts often arise from disagreements over land and borders, a recurring issue in history and contemporary politics.
Correct answer is: Territorial disputes
Q.13 Peacekeeping operations are usually authorized by which international body?
World Bank
World Trade Organization
United Nations
International Olympic Committee
Explanation - The United Nations authorizes peacekeeping missions to monitor ceasefires, protect civilians, and support peace processes.
Correct answer is: United Nations
Q.14 The concept of 'just war theory' originated in which intellectual tradition?
Christian philosophy
Marxist thought
Islamic jurisprudence
Buddhist philosophy
Explanation - Just war theory originated in Christian thought, particularly with thinkers like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, to define when war is morally justified.
Correct answer is: Christian philosophy
Q.15 Which conflict is often cited as an example of a 'proxy war'?
World War I
Vietnam War
American Civil War
Franco-Prussian War
Explanation - The Vietnam War involved superpowers (US and USSR/China) supporting opposing sides without directly fighting each other.
Correct answer is: Vietnam War
Q.16 What is a key characteristic of asymmetric warfare?
Equal power between states
Use of conventional armies only
Conflict between unequal actors, such as states and insurgents
No use of violence
Explanation - Asymmetric warfare involves conflicts where weaker groups use unconventional tactics against stronger militaries.
Correct answer is: Conflict between unequal actors, such as states and insurgents
Q.17 Which event triggered World War I?
German invasion of Poland
Bombing of Pearl Harbor
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Explanation - The assassination of the Austrian archduke in 1914 set off a chain of alliances and conflicts leading to World War I.
Correct answer is: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Q.18 What does the term 'ethnic conflict' mean?
Disagreements between political parties
Armed struggle between ethnic groups
Economic competition among firms
Religious rituals
Explanation - Ethnic conflict refers to violent disputes between groups defined by ethnicity, often linked to identity and historical grievances.
Correct answer is: Armed struggle between ethnic groups
Q.19 Which treaty formally ended World War I?
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Westphalia
Treaty of Vienna
Explanation - The Treaty of Versailles (1919) officially ended WWI and imposed heavy penalties on Germany.
Correct answer is: Treaty of Versailles
Q.20 What is 'Track II diplomacy'?
Unofficial, informal conflict resolution efforts by non-state actors
Formal talks between governments
Military negotiations
Trade agreements
Explanation - Track II diplomacy involves academics, NGOs, and other groups in informal talks to ease tensions and build trust.
Correct answer is: Unofficial, informal conflict resolution efforts by non-state actors
Q.21 Which of these is an example of structural violence?
Poverty caused by systemic inequality
A battlefield injury
A car accident
A natural disaster
Explanation - Structural violence is indirect harm caused by social structures that deny people basic needs and opportunities.
Correct answer is: Poverty caused by systemic inequality
Q.22 What is meant by 'arms race'?
A marathon event
Competition between states to build military capability
A trade fair for weapons
Disarmament efforts
Explanation - An arms race occurs when states compete to outmatch each other’s military strength, often leading to heightened tensions.
Correct answer is: Competition between states to build military capability
Q.23 Which conflict led to the creation of the United Nations?
World War I
World War II
Cold War
Korean War
Explanation - The UN was founded in 1945 after WWII to prevent another global conflict and promote peace.
Correct answer is: World War II
Q.24 What does 'peacebuilding' involve?
Military occupation
Strengthening political, social, and economic structures after conflict
Destroying enemy infrastructure
Winning a war quickly
Explanation - Peacebuilding addresses root causes of conflict, focusing on long-term stability through reforms, justice, and development.
Correct answer is: Strengthening political, social, and economic structures after conflict
Q.25 Who coined the term 'clash of civilizations'?
Francis Fukuyama
Samuel Huntington
Joseph Nye
Noam Chomsky
Explanation - Huntington argued in the 1990s that future conflicts would be based on cultural and civilizational differences rather than ideology or economics.
Correct answer is: Samuel Huntington