QUESTION 2(a)
GS4
10 marks
Carl von Clausewitz once said, "War is a diplomacy by other means." Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Critically analyse whether war is still 'diplomacy by other means' in today's conflicts, including its ethical costs.
Critically analyseBreak it into parts, test each against evidence, and give a reasoned verdict.
Demand-wise check
- 1Note: Clausewitz's original line is 'war is the continuation of politics (policy) by other means'≈30 words
- 2Where it holds: wars used to gain bargaining power (Russia–Ukraine, Israel–Hamas) and coercion short of war≈30 words
- 3Where it fails: nuclear risk, civilian suffering, non-state actors, hybrid and cyber wars without political endgame≈30 words
- 4Ethical view: just war theory, humanitarian law, dialogue first; India's 'not an era of war'≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Meaning (with the correct original phrasing)Where it applies todayWhere it failsEthical assessmentConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Agreeing fully without the 'critically analyse' counter-view
- Describing conflicts without linking to the statement
Draw this
- Spectrum: diplomacy → coercion → war → negotiations
Value addition
- ThinkerClausewitz, On War (1832): 'War is merely the continuation of policy by other means.'.Carl von Clausewitz
- LawGeneva Conventions (1949) protect civilians and prisoners in armed conflict.International Committee of the Red Cross
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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