CSS 2019 – International Relations (IR): Examiner’s Feedback and Student Guide
Introduction
International Relations (IR) is one of the most popular CSS optionals because of its direct overlap with Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Essay. It equips aspirants with theories and tools to analyze global politics. However, the examiner’s report for CE-2019 revealed that most candidates failed to perform well because they relied on rote material, lacked theoretical grounding, and struggled with analytical writing.
Examiner Feedback (2019)
The examiner observed:
- Performance was generally poor.
- Many candidates lacked clarity of IR theories such as Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism.
- Answers were often descriptive and read like “general knowledge essays” rather than analytical responses.
- Candidates showed heavy dependence on academy notes, with repetitive, shallow content.
- Many failed to connect theory with contemporary global events (US-China trade war, Middle East conflicts, Brexit).
- Application to Pakistan’s foreign policy was mostly missing.
- A handful of candidates who demonstrated strong theoretical grounding, analytical skills, and use of examples performed well【Examiner-Reports-CE-2019.pdf†L189-L196】.
Common Mistakes by Candidates
- Weak grasp of theories
- Candidates confused or mixed up Realism, Liberalism, and other schools.
- Narrative writing
- Writing about wars, alliances, or conflicts without analyzing them through theoretical frameworks.
- Over-reliance on notes
- Reproducing coaching material without originality.
- Ignoring Pakistan’s perspective
- Failing to link global developments to Pakistan’s strategic interests.
- Poor organization and grammar
- Weak English and unstructured answers reduced marks.
Practical Preparation Strategies
- Master IR theories
- Realism, Neorealism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism, Feminism in IR.
- Practice applying them: e.g., Realism → US-China rivalry; Liberalism → EU integration.
- Stay updated on global events
- Cover issues like multipolarity, UN reforms, Middle East politics, US foreign policy, Sino-Pak ties.
- Apply theory to Pakistan
- Relate IR to Pakistan’s foreign policy: CPEC, Kashmir dispute, relations with US, China, India, Afghanistan.
- Organize analytically
- Intro → theory/context → analysis of issue → Pakistan’s perspective → conclusion with way forward.
- Avoid rote learning
- Develop your own notes with analysis from multiple sources.
- Use quality references
- Books: Baylis, Smith & Owens – The Globalization of World Politics, Joshua Goldstein – International Relations, Kegley – World Politics.
- Practice past papers
- Attempt answers in timed conditions focusing on theory + analysis.
Encouraging Closing Note
The CSS 2019 examiner’s report shows that IR is not about narrating world history — it’s about analyzing world politics through theories. Those who crammed notes failed, while those who applied theory to contemporary events (and Pakistan’s foreign policy) performed well.
Remember: IR is about connections. Every theory you master, every case study you analyze, every link you make with Pakistan’s interests strengthens your answers.
Stay motivated: with proper preparation, IR not only boosts your optional score but also strengthens your grip on Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Essay — making it the backbone of your CSS attempt.