Sure Shot Questions : International Organisations | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Introduction

The chapter "International Organisations" from Class 12 Political Science examines the role, structure, and functions of international organizations like the United Nations (UN), its specialized agencies (e.g., WHO, IMF, ILO, UNICEF), and other global entities such as BRICS, WTO, and Amnesty International. By analysing previous year question papers, we’ve identified recurring question types and patterns that align with CBSE’s exam framework. Based on these trends and the syllabus’s emphasis, we’ve compiled a list of the most probable questions likely to appear in the upcoming exam. These predictions are rooted in the frequency and style of past questions, ensuring focused preparation. 

Key Questions

Q1: Highlight two advantages of international organizations like the UN.
Ans:

• They promote peace by facilitating dialogue to resolve conflicts without war.
• They foster cooperation among nations to address global issues like poverty and climate change.

Q2: Why does India support an increase in both permanent and non-permanent UN Security Council members?
Ans: India supports increasing both to make the UNSC more representative of current global realities, ensuring better inclusion of developing nations and enhancing its legitimacy.

Q3: Discuss the role of the UN in addressing global challenges like climate change and pandemics, and highlight its limitations.
Ans:

• Role in climate change: The UN, through the UNFCCC and IPCC, facilitates global agreements like the Paris Agreement, promoting climate action.
• Role in pandemics: WHO coordinates global health responses, sharing expertise and ensuring equitable vaccine access, as seen during COVID-19.

Limitations:

1. Lack of enforcement power, relying on voluntary compliance by member states.

2. Political disagreements, especially in the UNSC, hinder timely action.

3. Insufficient funding and bureaucratic inefficiencies limit responsiveness.

Q3: Discuss the significance of the UN and its specialized agencies in promoting global cooperation and preventing conflicts.
Ans:

• Promoting cooperation: The UN provides platforms like the General Assembly for dialogue on global issues, fostering collaboration on development, health, and human rights.
• Preventing conflicts: The UNSC authorizes peacekeeping missions and mediates disputes to prevent escalation, as seen in Cyprus and Lebanon.
• Role of agencies: WHO addresses health crises, UNICEF supports children’s welfare, and IAEA ensures nuclear safety, contributing to global stability.
• Impact: These efforts establish international norms, reduce conflict risks, and promote multilateralism, though effectiveness is limited by political divisions.

Q4: Explain two functions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Ans:

• Establishes international labor standards to ensure safe and dignified work conditions.
• Promotes social justice and equal opportunities for workers globally.

Q5: What are two complaints about the UN Security Council as reflected in the 1992 UN General Assembly resolution? 
Ans:

• It no longer reflects contemporary political realities.
• It lacks equitable geographical representation.

Q6: State the full form and significance of BRICS. 
Ans: 

• BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
• Significance: It promotes global economic stability, security, and the interests of developing nations.

Q7: Explain four criteria proposed in 1997 for new permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. 
Ans:

• Major economic power: New members should have strong economies to contribute to global stability.
• Major military power: They should have significant military capabilities to support peacekeeping.
• Substantial UN budget contributor: They must provide significant financial support to UN operations.
• Respect for democracy and human rights: New members should uphold democratic values and human rights.

Q8: “India has supported the restructuring of the United Nations on several grounds.” Support the statement. 
Ans: India advocates for UN restructuring due to:

• Outdated UNSC structure: The current UNSC reflects 1945 power dynamics, not modern realities.
• Lack of equitable representation: Developing regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America are underrepresented.
• Discriminatory veto power: The P5’s veto power creates imbalances in decision-making.
• Need for inclusivity: India, as a major democracy and global player, seeks a permanent UNSC seat to enhance global governance.

Q9: Compare the objectives and activities of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as international human rights organizations.
Ans:

• Amnesty International: Focuses on campaigning for human rights, raising awareness, and preventing abuses through public mobilization and advocacy for policy changes.
• Human Rights Watch: Conducts in-depth research, publishes reports on human rights violations, and engages in direct advocacy with governments and international bodies to hold perpetrators accountable.
• Similarities: Both advocate for justice and document abuses globally.
• Differences: Amnesty emphasizes grassroots campaigns, while Human Rights Watch focuses on detailed investigations and direct engagement with policymakers.

Q10: Explain India’s stance on restructuring the UN Security Council and the reasons behind its demand for a permanent seat.
Ans:

Stance: India advocates for UNSC reform to reflect current global realities, including increasing permanent and non-permanent seats for equitable representation.

Reasons for permanent seat:

1. Largest democracy: India represents the world’s largest democratic population.

2. Economic power: Its growing economy contributes significantly to global stability.

3. Peacekeeping contributions: India has a long history of supporting UN peacekeeping missions.

4. Population: As the second-most populous country, it represents one-fifth of the world’s population.

Q11: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Passage: The UN Security Council (UNSC) is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, and China) with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The veto power allows any permanent member to block a resolution, making it a controversial issue in global governance.
(i) Which country is NOT a permanent member of the UNSC? 
(ii) What are two main functions of the UNSC? 
(iii) Why is the veto power controversial?
Ans:
(i) Germany
(ii) Functions:

• Authorizing peacekeeping missions in conflict zones.
• Imposing sanctions and mediating disputes between nations.

(iii) It allows one permanent member to block decisions, even if supported by others, creating imbalances.

Q12: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Passage: India has been an active UN member since 1945, contributing to peacekeeping missions and advocating for Security Council reforms. India argues that the UNSC’s current structure does not reflect contemporary global realities. It seeks permanent membership based on its population, economic power, and democratic credentials, but faces opposition from countries like Pakistan and China.
(i) Why does India seek permanent UNSC membership? 
(ii) What are two arguments supporting India’s claim for a permanent seat?
(iii) Why is India’s bid opposed?
Ans:
(i) All of the following: It is the world’s largest democracy, has a strong economy, and contributes to UN peacekeeping.
(ii) Arguments:

• India’s large population (one-fifth of the world) justifies its representation.
• Its consistent contributions to UN peacekeeping enhance its credibility.

(iii) Geopolitical tensions with Pakistan and China, and concerns about India’s nuclear capabilities.

Q13: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Passage: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) monitors the global economy and provides financial assistance to member countries. With 190 members, voting power is unequal, favoring the US, Japan, Germany, and China. The IMF has been criticized for imposing strict economic policies on developing nations in exchange for aid.
(i) Which organization provides financial assistance to countries in economic crisis? 
(ii) What are two major functions of the IMF? 
(iii) Why has the IMF been criticized? 
Ans:
(i) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(ii) Functions:

• Monitors global financial stability and provides loans to struggling economies.
• Advises countries on economic reforms and monetary policies.

(iii) It imposes strict conditions on countries receiving aid, often affecting their sovereignty.

Q14: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
Passage: The UN faces challenges in addressing global issues like climate change, terrorism, and human rights violations. Agencies like WHO, UNHCR, and UNDP work on health, refugee crises, and development, but political disagreements limit the UN Security Council’s effectiveness. Many countries argue for reforms to make the UN more efficient.
(i) Which is NOT a major global challenge addressed by the UN? 
(ii) What are two challenges faced by the UN today?
(iii) How can the UN become more effective?
Ans:
(i) International trade regulations
(ii) Challenges:

• Political disagreements in the UNSC hinder timely action.
• Lack of enforcement power for global agreements like climate accords.

(iii) By reforming the UNSC to reflect modern political realities and improving funding.

Important Topics

• UN Structure and Objectives: Established in 1945 to prevent conflicts, promote human rights, and foster global cooperation.
• UN Security Council: Five permanent members with veto power; ten non-permanent members; need for reforms due to inequitable representation.
• India’s Role: Contributions to peacekeeping, advocacy for UNSC reform, and claim for a permanent seat based on population, democracy, and economic growth.
• Specialized Agencies: Functions of UNICEF, ILO, WHO, IMF, WTO, and IAEA in addressing global issues.
• Challenges to Reforms: Veto power, resistance from P5, and disagreements over new member criteria.
• Human Rights Organizations: Roles of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch in advocating for justice.
• Global Challenges: UN’s role in climate change (UNFCCC), pandemics (WHO), and nuclear security (IAEA).

Preparation Tips

• Memorize Key Facts: Learn dates (e.g., UN establishment: 1945, WTO: 1995), UNSC permanent members, and agency full forms (UNICEF, ILO, etc.).
• Understand Reforms: Focus on India’s arguments for UNSC reform and the 1997 criteria for new members.
• Practice Passage-Based Questions: Solve questions on UNSC functions, India’s role, and agency contributions to build analytical skills.
• Revise Agency Functions: Create a chart summarizing roles of UN agencies like WHO, UNICEF, and IMF.
• Focus on India’s Role: Study India’s contributions to peacekeeping and its case for a permanent UNSC seat for long-answer questions.
• Use Mnemonics: For example, remember UNSC permanent members with “CURFU” (China, UK, Russia, France, US).