Passage Based Questions: Security in the Contemporary World - 1 | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q1: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Security implies freedom from threats, but not all threats are considered security threats. A security threat is one that endangers core values of a nation or people beyond repair. There are two broad perspectives on security: traditional security, which focuses on military threats from other countries, and non-traditional security, which includes human security concerns like health, environment, and terrorism. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlighted human security concerns in 1994, emphasizing that security is not just about protecting nation-states but also about safeguarding people’s daily lives.

i. Which report highlighted the importance of human security in 1994? (1 mark)
(a) World Bank Economic Report
(b) UNDP Human Development Report
(c) International Monetary Fund Annual Report
(d) UN Security Council Resolution
ii. What are the two broad perspectives on security?  (2 marks)
iii. Why is non-traditional security gaining importance in the modern world?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (b) UNDP Human Development Report
ii.

• Traditional security: Focuses on military threats from other nations.
• Non-traditional security: Includes threats like climate change, terrorism, and health crises.

iii. Issues such as pandemics, climate change, and cyber threats impact people worldwide, extending beyond military concerns.

Q2: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Traditional security is primarily concerned with military threats to a nation’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Countries prepare for external threats by building military power, forming alliances, and maintaining a balance of power. Governments use strategies like deterrence (preventing war) and defense (fighting back if attacked). In world politics, there is no central authority to enforce peace, making each country responsible for its own security.

i. Which of the following is NOT a strategy used in traditional security policies?  (1 mark)
(a) Deterrence
(b) Defense
(c) Balance of Power
(d) Human Rights Promotion 
ii. What are the key elements of traditional security?  (2 marks)
iii. Why is there no global authority to enforce peace?  (1 mark)

Ans: 
i. (d) Human Rights Promotion
ii. 

• Maintaining a strong military to prevent or counter attacks.
• Forming alliances to strengthen security against external threats.

iii. Countries operate in an anarchic international system where each state is responsible for its own security.

Q3: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Countries use arms control and disarmament to limit or eliminate weapons as a way to reduce security threats. The Biological Weapons Convention (1972) and Chemical Weapons Convention (1997) banned these weapons. However, major powers refused to completely eliminate nuclear weapons, leading to arms control agreements like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) (1968) and Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the US and the Soviet Union. These treaties regulate who can possess nuclear weapons but do not eliminate them completely.

i. Which of the following treaties aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?  (1 mark)
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 
(c) Geneva Convention
(d) Paris Climate Agreement
ii. What are the differences between arms control and disarmament?  (2 marks)
iii. Why have nuclear weapons not been fully eliminated?  (1 mark)

Ans: 
i. (b) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 
ii. 

• Disarmament involves completely eliminating certain types of weapons, as seen in the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).

  Arms control refers to regulating or limiting weapons, exemplified by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

iii. Major powers believe nuclear weapons are essential for deterrence and maintaining global power balance.

Q4: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Terrorism is a non-traditional security threat that involves political violence targeting civilians to create fear. It often involves hijackings, bombings, and cyber-attacks. The 9/11 attacks in 2001 made terrorism a key global security concern. Governments have strengthened counter-terrorism efforts, including international cooperation and intelligence-sharing. However, defining terrorism is difficult, as some groups see it as a fight for political freedom, while others see it as a threat to national security.

i. What is the main objective of terrorism?  (1 mark)
(a) To promote international peace
(b) To create fear and force political change
(c) To support military alliances
(d) To increase economic cooperation 
ii. Why is terrorism considered a non-traditional security threat?  (2 marks)
iii. Why is defining terrorism difficult?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (b) To create fear and force political change
ii. 

• It does not involve direct military conflicts between nations.

  It targets civilians and disrupts societies rather than attacking military forces.

iii. Some groups see terrorism as a fight for political freedom, while others see it as a security threat.

Q5: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

India has faced both traditional (military) and non-traditional security threats. Its security strategy has four key components:

• Strengthening military capabilities, especially after wars with Pakistan (1947, 1965, 1971, 1999) and China (1962).
• Engaging in international diplomacy, supporting the United Nations and non-alignment policies.
• Ensuring internal security, addressing separatist movements in Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeast.
• Economic development and poverty reduction to enhance long-term security.

i. Which of the following is NOT a component of India’s security strategy?  (1 mark)
(a) Strengthening military capabilities
(b) Supporting international diplomacy
(c) Expanding nuclear testing programs
(d) Addressing internal security challenges
ii. What are the four key components of India’s security strategy?  (2 marks)
iii. Why is economic development considered a part of security strategy?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (c) Expanding nuclear testing programs
ii. 

• Strengthening military capabilities to address threats from Pakistan and China.

  Engaging diplomatically with the UN and global organisations.

iii. Reducing poverty and inequality ensures stability and prevents internal conflicts.

Q6: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

In the traditional view of security, countries seek to maintain a balance of power to prevent military conflicts. This involves building military strength, forming alliances, and countering potential threats from rival nations. A strong military deters aggression, while alliances provide strategic advantages. Countries also monitor their neighbors and global powers to maintain a favorable balance of power.

i. What is meant by ‘Balance of Power’ in international security?  (1 mark)
(a) Economic equality among countries
(b) A stable power distribution to prevent military threats 
(c) Military alliances between all nations
(d) A complete ban on nuclear weapons
ii. How do countries maintain a balance of power?  (2 marks)
iii. Why do countries fear an imbalance of power?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (b) A stable power distribution to prevent military threats 
ii. Countries maintain a balance of power by:

• Building military strength.
• Forming alliances.
• Countering potential threats from rival nations.

iii. An imbalance may encourage stronger nations to become aggressive and dominate weaker ones.

Q7: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

A military alliance is a coalition of states formed to deter or defend against military threats. Alliances are often formalized through treaties and are based on common security interests. During the Cold War, the NATO alliance was led by the United States, while the Warsaw Pact was controlled by the Soviet Union. Alliances change based on national interests; for example, the United States supported Afghan militants against the Soviet Union in the 1980s but later fought against them after the rise of terrorist groups.

i. Which of the following was a military alliance led by the Soviet Union?  (1 mark)
(a) NATO
(b) Warsaw Pact
(c) SEATO
(d) United Nations
ii. What are the objectives of military alliances?  (2 marks)
iii. Why do military alliances change over time?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (b) Warsaw Pact
ii. 

• To provide collective security and deter potential attacks.
• To strengthen strategic positions against rival powers.

iii. National interests shift, leading to new alliances or dissolutions.

Q8: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

While disarmament seeks to eliminate specific types of weapons, arms control aims to regulate their use. The 1972 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) banned such weapons, while the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) (1968) sought to restrict nuclear weapons to pre-1967 nuclear states. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the US and the Soviet Union was an example of arms control, limiting but not eliminating nuclear weapons.

i. What is the main difference between disarmament and arms control?  (1 mark)
(a) Disarmament eliminates weapons, while arms control regulates them 
(b) Arms control eliminates weapons, while disarmament regulates them
(c) Both focus only on nuclear weapons
(d) Both are the same concept
ii. Which international agreements focused on disarmament?  (2 marks)
iii. Why have nuclear weapons not been fully eliminated?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (a) Disarmament eliminates weapons, while arms control regulates them  
ii. 

• The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) (1972).
• The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) (1997).

iii. Major powers argue that nuclear weapons provide deterrence against war.

Q9: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Terrorism is a non-traditional security threat involving political violence targeting civilians. Terrorist groups seek to create fear and force political change through attacks on public spaces, transportation systems, and government buildings. The 9/11 attacks in 2001 led to increased international efforts to combat terrorism through intelligence-sharing, military operations, and counter-terrorism laws. However, defining terrorism is difficult, as some groups claim they are fighting for political freedom while others see them as security threats.

i. Which event made terrorism a global security concern?  (1 mark)
(a) The Gulf War (1991)
(b) The 9/11 attacks in the US (2001) 
(c) The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
(d) The end of the Cold War (1991)
ii. Why is terrorism considered a non-traditional security threat?  (2 marks)
iii. Why is defining terrorism controversial?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (b) The 9/11 attacks in the US (2001) 
ii. 

• It targets civilians rather than engaging in direct military conflict.
• It aims to create fear and disrupt societies rather than conquer territories.

iii. Some groups claim they are fighting for political freedom, making definitions subjective.

Q10: Read the Passage below and answer the questions that follow:

India has faced both traditional (military) and non-traditional security threats. Its security strategy includes:

• Strengthening military capabilities, particularly after wars with Pakistan (1947, 1965, 1971, 1999) and China (1962).
• Supporting global security initiatives, including the United Nations and disarmament efforts.
• Ensuring internal security, addressing separatist movements in Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeast.
• Economic development and poverty reduction as part of long-term security planning.

India’s nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998 were justified as necessary for national security, given the nuclear threats from neighboring countries. However, India has also advocated for global nuclear disarmament and maintains a ‘No First Use’ policy for nuclear weapons.

i. Which year did India first conduct a nuclear test?  (1 mark)
(a) 1962
(b) 1974
(c) 1998
(d) 2001
ii. What are the key components of India’s security strategy?  (2 marks)
iii. Why does India maintain a ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy?  (1 mark)

Ans:
i. (b) 1974
ii. 

• Strengthening military capabilities to counter external threats.
• Supporting global disarmament and diplomatic efforts.

iii. To signal that it will only use nuclear weapons in self-defense and not as an act of aggression.