UGC NET Code 90: International and Area Studies
Complete Preparation Notes with PYQs
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UNIT I: International and Area Studies: Concepts, Theories and Approaches
1. Scope and Nature of IR and Area Studies
- Study of relations between sovereign states and global actors
- Interdisciplinary: Politics, History, Economics, Sociology
2. Theories of IR:
- Realism (Thucydides, Morgenthau, Waltz): Power-centric, anarchy-driven
- Liberalism (Woodrow Wilson, Keohane): Emphasizes cooperation, international law
- Marxism (Karl Marx, Wallerstein): Global inequality driven by capitalism
- Critical Theories (Robert Cox): Challenges status quo, focus on emancipation
3. Concepts:
- Power Politics, Balance of Power, Geopolitics (Mackinder), Bipolarity, Unipolarity, Multipolarity,
Polycentrism
- Actors: State and Non-State Actors (UN, WTO, NGOs, MNCs)
PYQs:
- Realism vs. Liberalism (2018, 2021)
- Define Bipolarity (2020)
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UNIT II: Evolution of International Relations and Area Studies
1. Emergence of Nation-States, Nationalism
2. Pre-WWI, Interwar Period, Post-WWII (Cold War)
3. Decolonization and Rise of Global South
4. Post-Cold War Developments and Globalization
PYQs:
- NAM significance (2015, 2019)
- Impact of Globalization (2017)
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UNIT III: Contemporary World Order
1. Unipolarity, Bipolarity, Multipolarity, Polycentrism
2. Role of Major Powers: US, Russia, China, India, EU
3. Globalization: Globality vs. Globalism
4. Democratization and Science & Tech in Global Order
PYQs:
- Multipolarity post-Cold War (2016)
- Role of China in Global Order (2022)
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UNIT IV: Conflict, Security and Peace
1. Evolution of Strategic Thought: Kautilya to Kissinger
2. Security Doctrines: MAD, Deterrence, SDI
3. India's Security Policies: Nuclear, Maritime
4. New Warfare: Conventional, Cyber, Biological
5. Non-Traditional Threats: Cybersecurity, Terrorism, Food Security
6. Conflict Resolution, Peace, Disarmament
PYQs:
- Cybersecurity Challenges (2021)
- MAD Doctrine (2018)
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UNIT V: International Organizations and Global Governance
1. UN: Structure, Roles, Reforms
2. Global Governance and Challenges
3. Regional Organizations: EU, ASEAN, SAARC
4. Globalization's Impact, International Law as Governance
PYQs:
- Role of UN in Global Governance (2022)
- ASEAN Functions (2017)
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UNIT VI: India's Foreign Policy
1. Evolution: NAM, Panchsheel, Strategic Autonomy
2. India's Relations with Neighbors & Major Powers
3. Act East Policy, Neighborhood First Policy
4. India's Soft Power Diplomacy
PYQs:
- India-China Relations (2020)
- India's Soft Power Examples (2019)
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UNIT VII: South Asia and Indo-Pacific Region
1. Geopolitical Context: SAARC, IORA, BIMSTEC
2. Nation Building and Democratization
3. Regional Threats and External Power Influence
4. Impact of LPG Reforms
PYQs:
- BIMSTEC vs. SAARC (2021)
- Regional Security Threats in South Asia (2019)
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UNIT VIII: Central Asia, West Asia and Africa
1. Colonialism, Post-Independence Challenges
2. Security Issues: Internal Conflicts, Terrorism
3. Development Cooperation and Globalization Impact
PYQs:
- Arab Spring Effects (2016)
- Role of OIC (2020)
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UNIT IX: Europe and Former USSR/Russia
1. Geopolitics, Nationalism, European Integration
2. Alliances: NATO, WARSAW Pact, EU
3. Security Threats, Refugee Crises
4. Globalization's Impact
PYQs:
- Brexit and EU Implications (2021)
- NATO's Contemporary Role (2018)
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UNIT X: The Americas
1. Colonialism, Democratization Challenges
2. Internal Security, Human Security Issues
3. Regional Conflicts and US Influence
4. Globalization's Impact
PYQs:
- Role of USA in Latin America (2022)
- Globalization Impact on Americas (2020)
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Further Reading:
- Andrew Heywood - Global Politics
- Rajiv Sikri - Challenge and Strategy (India's Foreign Policy)
- Baylis & Smith - Globalization of World Politics
- Jan Aart Scholte - Globalization
- Malcolm Shaw - International Law
Practice Regular PYQs and Mock Tests for success.
