Showing questions for December 14, 2025
- Total: 20 questions
Question 16 Dec 14, 2025
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What central concept does Raj Kumar Srivastava critique in his book 'Democracy for Winners Only'?
Winner’s democracyIn 'Democracy for Winners Only', Raj Kumar Srivastava argues that India’s democratic system is increasingly becoming a 'winner’s democracy', where electoral victory legitimizes centralization of power, weakens institutions, and marginalizes citizen influence despite high voter turnout. He draws from three decades of grassroots administrative experience to highlight how democratic participation no longer translates into real decision-making power for ordinary citizens. The book warns that this shift privileges the victorious over the virtuous, thereby eroding foundational democratic values. Srivastava emphasizes the paradox between high electoral participation and diminishing democratic substance.
Question 17 Dec 14, 2025
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Which of the following is NOT listed by Srivastava as part of his reform agenda for reclaiming democracy?
Mandating digital votingSrivastava proposes a comprehensive reform agenda rooted in constitutional values to revitalize India’s democracy. His recommendations include revitalizing local governance, ensuring transparency in political finance, strengthening regulatory autonomy, embedding community voices in development, and rebuilding civic education. Notably, he does not advocate for mandating digital voting, instead cautioning about the 'digital illusion of participation' where online activism creates a false sense of empowerment without real influence. His focus remains on institutional resilience and grassroots inclusion rather than technological mandates.
Question 18 Dec 14, 2025
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According to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, what transformative practice can prevent impulsive mistakes?
Taking a 15-second pauseGurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasizes the power of a 15-second pause before reacting in emotionally charged situations. He illustrates this with an anecdote of a CEO who avoided sending a damaging letter due to this brief pause. The pause allows emotions to settle, restoring awareness and enabling thoughtful responses. This practice is linked to meditation, stillness, and the cultivation of present-moment awareness. It is presented as a simple yet profound tool for emotional regulation and better decision-making in daily life.
Question 19 Dec 14, 2025
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What does the book 'How States Think' by Mearsheimer and Rosato primarily argue about state behavior in international politics?
States generally act rationally in pursuit of securityMearsheimer and Rosato contend that, contrary to popular belief, states typically act rationally in international relations, guided by strategic calculations focused on survival and security. They introduce the concept of 'homo theoreticus'—a decision-maker guided by coherent theories about how the world works. Using historical examples like the Cuban Missile Crisis and Pearl Harbor, they show how states employ expected utility maximization despite uncertainties. While acknowledging occasional irrationality due to internal dynamics, they assert rationality remains the norm, especially when security is at stake.
Question 20 Dec 14, 2025
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Which phenomenon does Srivastava warn against in the context of digital-age democracy?
The digital illusion of participationSrivastava cautions that online activism—such as hashtags, viral campaigns, and social media debates—creates a misleading impression of democratic empowerment. He argues that while digital tools expand the appearance of participation, they often lack substantive influence on policy or governance. Algorithmic amplification tends to reinforce majoritarian views and polarize discourse, undermining nuanced democratic deliberation. This 'digital illusion' distracts from meaningful civic engagement and institutional accountability, weakening the quality of democracy even as participation metrics rise.