CUET UG Political Science: International Relations - Contemporary Issues, Rise of China, US Hegemony, Nuclear Policy

Must-Know

• China’s GDP surpassed Japan’s in 2010, making it the second-largest economy globally; US remained first.
• The US became the sole superpower after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, marking the start of unipolar world order.
• Operation Desert Storm (1991) was a US-led military intervention in Iraq, demonstrating US military dominance post-Cold War.
• The US unilaterally withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002, weakening arms control frameworks.
• China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, accelerating its integration into the global economy.
• The term “Chindia” refers to the potential of China and India as emerging global powers; coined by economist Jean-Paul Rodrigue.
• The US invaded Iraq in 2003 citing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), which were never found.
• China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched in 2013 to enhance global infrastructure and trade connectivity.
• India conducted nuclear tests in 1998 (Pokhran-II), leading to sanctions under the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) guidelines.
• The US follows a “First Use” nuclear doctrine, meaning it may use nuclear weapons even if attacked with conventional weapons.
• China adheres to a “No First Use” (NFU) nuclear policy, pledging not to use nuclear weapons unless attacked first.
• The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by the UN in 1996 but has not entered into force due to non-ratification by key states including the US and China.
• The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), 1968, recognizes five nuclear-weapon states: US, Russia, UK, France, and China.
• India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea are not signatories to the NPT.
• The US established military bases in over 80 countries by 2020, including Japan, Germany, and South Korea, reinforcing its global hegemony.
• The 9/11 attacks in 2001 led to the US launching the War on Terror, including invasions of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003).
• China’s defense budget increased from $30 billion in 2000 to over $270 billion in 2023 (verify from NCERT).
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), founded in 2001, includes China, Russia, and Central Asian states as key members.
• The US dollar serves as the world’s primary reserve currency, reinforcing US economic hegemony.
• The concept of “soft power” was coined by Joseph Nye to describe influence through culture, values, and foreign policy rather than coercion.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate — Requires understanding of post-Cold War power shifts, nuclear doctrines, and multilateral treaties with specific names and dates.

Common CUET Traps

• Trap: Confusing China’s “No First Use” policy with India’s NFU pledge. Avoid: Both China and India claim NFU, but China has never used nuclear weapons; India reaffirmed NFU after Pokhran-II.
• Trap: Assuming the CTBT is in force because it was widely adopted. Avoid: CTBT is not in force; requires ratification by 8 specific states including US, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran, and Egypt.
• Trap: Believing the US is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Avoid: The US has not ratified the Rome Statute and does not recognize ICC jurisdiction.

Practice MCQs

1. Question: Which year marked China’s emergence as the world’s second-largest economy, surpassing Japan?
   A) 2008
   B) 2010
   C) 2012
   D) 2005
   Answer: B
   Explanation: China overtook Japan in 2010 to become the second-largest economy by GDP.
   Why others fail: 2008 is associated with global financial crisis, not economic ranking shift.

2. Question: Which nuclear doctrine allows a country to use nuclear weapons even in response to a conventional attack?
   A) No First Use
   B) Second Strike Capability
   C) First Use
   D) Mutual Assured Destruction
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The US follows a “First Use” policy, permitting nuclear response to non-nuclear threats.
   Why others fail: “No First Use” (A) is India’s and China’s stated policy, making it a tempting but incorrect choice.

3. Question: What was the primary justification given by the US for invading Iraq in 2003?
   A) Human rights violations
   B) Spread of democracy
   C) Presence of weapons of mass destruction
   D) Terrorist training camps
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The US claimed Iraq possessed WMDs, later found to be false.
   Why others fail: While democracy promotion (B) was cited, WMDs were the central public justification.

4. Question: Which treaty did the US unilaterally withdraw from in 2002, affecting global arms control?
   A) NPT
   B) CTBT
   C) ABM Treaty
   D) INF Treaty
   Answer: C
   Explanation: The US withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002.
   Why others fail: INF Treaty withdrawal occurred in 2019, making D a plausible but incorrect option.

5. Question: Which of the following countries is NOT a recognized nuclear-weapon state under the NPT?
   A) France
   B) China
   C) India
   D) United Kingdom
   Answer: C
   Explanation: India is not a signatory to the NPT and thus not recognized as a nuclear-weapon state under the treaty.
   Why others fail: China (B) is a recognized NPT nuclear state, often confused due to its late nuclear test (1964).

Last-Minute Revision

• US hegemony began in 1991 after USSR collapse.
• China joined WTO in 2001 — major economic milestone.
• “No First Use” — China and India both claim, but India reiterated post-1998.
• US follows “First Use” nuclear policy.
• CTBT adopted 1996 — not in force.
• NPT recognizes only 5 nuclear states: US, Russia, UK, France, China.
• India not part of NPT or CTBT.
• Pokhran-II — 1998, nuclear tests by India.
• BRI launched in 2013 by China.
• SCO founded in 2001 — China, Russia, Central Asia.
• US withdrew from ABM Treaty in 2002.
• 9/11 attacks — 2001, led to War on Terror.
• Operation Desert Storm — 1991, Gulf War.
• US dollar — global reserve currency.
• Soft power — Joseph Nye.
• Chindia — term for China-India rise.
• US has military bases in over 80 countries.
• NFU-universal policy — only some states adopt it.