CUET PG 2025 Political Science Question Paper with Solution Answer Key PDF

Statement (A) is correct. Historical materialism refers to Marx's theory that the material conditions of society, particularly the economy and the relations of production, are the primary drivers of historical development.

Statement (B) is also correct. Engels credited Marx as the originator of historical materialism, emphasizing the material basis of societal development.

Statement (C) is incorrect. According to Marx, the economic base (relations of production) is the foundation of society, not the political structure. The political structure is shaped by the economic base.

Statement (D) is correct. Marx believed that the relations of production correspond to a specific stage in the development of material productive forces. As the productive forces evolve, the relations of production adapt, leading to changes in the overall social structure.


Thus, the correct answer is option 3 because (A), (B), and (D) are correct, while (C) is incorrect. Quick Tip: Historical materialism emphasizes the importance of economic and material conditions in shaping history, with the relations of production forming the foundation of society's structure.

Nicos Poulantzas was a prominent Marxist theorist who argued for the concept of the relative autonomy of the state. He asserted that while the state is influenced by the capitalist class, it maintains a degree of autonomy that allows it to serve its own interests and mediate conflicts within the capitalist system. This idea contrasts with more deterministic views that the state is simply an instrument of the ruling class.

Step 1: Ralph Miliband: He argued that the state is essentially an instrument of the capitalist class, focusing on its role as a tool for class domination.

Step 2: Louis Althusser: While Althusser developed theories on ideological state apparatuses, his work does not specifically focus on the relative autonomy of the state in the same way as Poulantzas.

Step 3: Antonio Gramsci: Gramsci focused on the idea of hegemony and how the ruling class maintains power through ideology, not relative autonomy of the state.


Thus, the correct answer is option 2, Nicos Poulantzas. Quick Tip: The concept of relative autonomy suggests that the state, while shaped by class interests, also has a level of independence and can act in ways that are not strictly determined by the dominant class.

According to John Locke, the natural rights of the people include:

- The right to life.

- The right to liberty.

- The right to property.

These rights are fundamental and inalienable for individuals in a just society.


Step 1: Identifying Locke's Natural Rights. Locke's theory of natural rights was foundational in the development of liberal political philosophy. He argued that every individual has inherent rights that cannot be taken away by government or society.


Step 2: Conclusion. The correct answer is option (4), as Locke's natural rights are life, liberty, and property.
Quick Tip: Locke’s natural rights theory has had a significant impact on political thought, especially on the development of liberal democracies and the concept of individual freedoms.

The phrase “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles” comes from Karl Marx’s and Friedrich Engels' seminal work, The Communist Manifesto (1848). This statement emphasizes Marx's theory of historical materialism, where the development of society is seen as a series of struggles between different social classes, such as the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.


Step 1: Understanding the quote. The quote reflects Marx’s view that societal progress is driven by conflicts between classes with opposing interests, which are rooted in economic structures.


Step 2: Identifying the source. The correct source of this quote is The Communist Manifesto, which Marx co-authored with Engels. It lays the foundation for Marxist theory and the role of class struggles in shaping history.


Step 3: Conclusion. The correct answer is option (1), The Communist Manifesto.
Quick Tip: The Communist Manifesto is one of the most influential political documents in history. It outlines the theory of class struggle and the call for the overthrow of capitalist systems.

The earliest known example of direct democracy is found in Ancient Athens. Direct democracy refers to a system where citizens participate directly in decision-making, without intermediaries or representatives. In Athens, citizens could vote directly on laws, policies, and decisions regarding public affairs. This system was most notable during the 5th century BCE under the leadership of Pericles.


Step 1: Direct Democracy in Athens.

Athens is often regarded as the birthplace of democracy. The Athenian democracy allowed all male citizens over the age of 18 to participate in the Assembly, where they could vote on important matters such as laws, military decisions, and the election of public officials.


Step 2: The Role of the Assembly.

The Assembly (Ekklesia) was open to all male citizens, and it met regularly to discuss and vote on laws and issues affecting the city-state. This form of democracy is considered "direct" because it allowed citizens to participate in decision-making without the need for elected representatives.

Step 3: Conclusion.

Thus, the correct answer is option (3), Athens, as it is the earliest known example of direct democracy. Quick Tip: Ancient Athens is known as the birthplace of direct democracy. The Athenian Assembly allowed citizens to vote directly on laws and decisions, serving as an early model for modern democratic systems.

The book Statesman is written by the Greek philosopher Plato. It is one of his many dialogues, and it discusses the role of the statesman (the ideal ruler), who is responsible for guiding society in the best interest of all. Plato presents the concept of an ideal leader who possesses knowledge of the truth and is not swayed by personal interests.

Step 1: The Nature of the Dialogue.

Statesman is a philosophical dialogue that belongs to a series of works by Plato that explore various forms of governance. In this dialogue, Plato distinguishes between the true statesman and others who may hold political power but lack the true knowledge and virtues of a genuine leader.

Step 2: The Philosopher's View of the Statesman.

In Statesman, Plato emphasizes that a true ruler is someone who has the wisdom to make decisions that promote the good of the state and its citizens. The dialogue focuses on the idea of leadership as an art that requires both practical experience and theoretical knowledge.

Step 3: Conclusion.

Thus, the correct answer is option (3), Plato, who is the author of Statesman, a key text in the study of political philosophy and leadership. Quick Tip: Plato’s Statesman is an important text in political philosophy, where he examines the role of a statesman and the qualities that make a good ruler, contrasting it with the idea of mere politicians or demagogues.

- Thomas Hobbes (Option 1): Hobbes is considered a Realist thinker, particularly in the field of political philosophy. In his work, "Leviathan," Hobbes describes a world where individuals are driven by self-interest and fear, which leads to a state of anarchy. To avoid this, he proposes the necessity of a powerful state to maintain order. This concept is aligned with Realist thought, which focuses on the anarchic international system and the importance of power and security.

- Kenneth Waltz (Option 2): Waltz is one of the most prominent figures in the Realist school of thought, particularly known for his theory of Neorealism or Structural Realism. In his book "Theory of International Politics," Waltz argues that the structure of the international system — characterized by anarchy — forces states to act in ways that ensure their security, thus shaping their behavior in a predictable way.

- Woodrow Wilson (Option 3): Wilson is not a Realist thinker. He was a liberal idealist who advocated for the creation of international institutions like the League of Nations to prevent future wars. His approach focused on cooperation, democracy, and international law, which contrasts sharply with Realist theories that emphasize competition, conflict, and the pursuit of power in an anarchic system. Wilson's ideas are better aligned with Liberalism than Realism.

- Hans J. Morgenthau (Option 4): Morgenthau is one of the foundational figures in Classical Realism. In his seminal work, "Politics Among Nations," Morgenthau argues that politics is governed by objective laws rooted in human nature, particularly the pursuit of power. His theory focuses on the centrality of power in international relations, making him a core Realist thinker.

Thus, the correct answer is Woodrow Wilson (Option 3), as he is not a Realist thinker. Quick Tip: Realism in international relations emphasizes the role of power, competition, and anarchy in shaping the behavior of states. Liberal thinkers, like Woodrow Wilson, focus on cooperation, international institutions, and the possibility of peace.

To chronologically arrange the SAARC Specialized bodies, we need to establish the years of establishment for each body:


1. SAARC Agriculture Centre (Option D): The SAARC Agriculture Centre was established in 1988 as the first specialized body of SAARC. It focuses on agricultural cooperation in South Asia and plays a key role in addressing food security and agricultural challenges in the region.

2. SAARC Development Fund (Option A): Established in 1996, the SAARC Development Fund is the financial arm of SAARC, created to foster regional cooperation through funding for development projects in the member states.

3. SAARC Arbitration Council (Option B): The SAARC Arbitration Council was established in 2004 to provide a mechanism for the peaceful settlement of disputes between member countries.

4. South Asian Regional Standards Organisations (Option C): Established in 2005, this body focuses on setting and promoting standards for various products and services within the South Asian region, ensuring regional cooperation in standardization.

Thus, the correct chronological order is:

(D) SAARC Agriculture Centre (1988)

(A) SAARC Development Fund (1996)

(B) SAARC Arbitration Council (2004)

(C) South Asian Regional Standards Organisations (2005)


Therefore, the correct answer is option 3: (D), (A), (B), (C). Quick Tip: SAARC's specialized bodies focus on regional cooperation in various fields, including agriculture, development, arbitration, and standardization. The establishment dates reflect the evolving priorities of the organization.