CSS SOLVED PAPER ENGLISH (PRECIS & COMPOSITION 2021 PART 2

Q. 3. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end. (20) In its response to 9/11, America has shown itself to be not only a hyperpower but increasingly assertive and ready to use its dominance as a hyperpower. After declaring a War on Terrorism, America has led two conventional wars, in Afghanistan and Iraq, demonstrating its overwhelmingly awesome military might. But these campaigns reveal something more: America’s willingness to have recourse to arms as appropriate and legitimate means to secure its interests and bolster its security. It has set forth a new doctrine: the right of pre-emptive strike when it considers its security, and therefore its national interests, to be at risk. The essence of this doctrine is the real meaning of hyperpower. Prime Minister Tony Blair has consistently argued that the only option in the face of hyperpower is to offer wise counsel. But increasingly this is a course that governments and people across the world have refused. The mobilisation for war against Iraq split the United Nations and provoked the largest anti-war demonstrations the world has ever seen. And through it all, America maintained its determination to wage war alone if necessary and not to be counselled by the concerns of supposedly allied governments when they faithfully represented the wishes of their electorates. Rather than engaging in debate, the American government expressed its exasperation. The influential new breed of neoconservative radio and television hosts went much further. They acted as ringmasters for outpourings of public scorn that saw French fries renamed ‘freedom fries’ and moves to boycott French and German produce across America. If one sound-bite can capture a mood, then perhaps it would be Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly. At the height of the tension over a second Security Council resolution to legitimate war in Iraq, Mr O’Reilly told his viewers that the bottom line was security, the security of his family, and in that matter ‘There’s no moral equivalence between the US and Belgium’. It is, in effect, the ethos of hyperpower articulated and made manifest in the public domain of 24-hour talk. And America’s willingness to prosecute war has raised innumerable questions about how it engages with other countries. Afghanistan has seen the removal of the Taliban. But there are no official statistics on the number of innocent civilians dead and injured to achieve that security objective. The people of Afghanistan have witnessed a descent into the chaos that preceded the arrival of the Taliban, a country administered not by a new era of democracy under the tutelage of the hyperpower, but merely by the return of the warlords. Beyond Kabul, much of the country remains too insecure for any meaningful efforts at reconstruction and there is enormous difficulty in bringing relief aid to the rural population. Page 1 of 2 Roll Number FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION – 2021 FOR RECRUITMENT TO POSTS IN BS-17 UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENGLISH (PRECIS & COMPOSITION) Page 2 of 2 ENGLISH (PRECIS & COMPOSITION) Questions: (4 marks each) 1. Why does the doctrine of power set by neo-imperial America deny space to counselling? 2. What is the essence of ‘moral equivalence’ whereas War has no moral justification? 3. Why do countries occupied and under the tutelage of hypepower have no peace? 4. Arguably Europe and hyperpower US are at cross purposes over the concept of war. Are they? Why? 5. What Tony Blair’s meant by ‘wise counsel’, and did it prevail? 2. What is the essence of ‘moral equivalence’ whereas War has no moral justification? Answer: The essence of 'moral equivalence' is the idea that different actions, behaviors, or countries can be viewed as morally similar or equivalent. In the context of the passage, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly's statement suggests that there's no moral comparison between the US and Belgium when it comes to security. However, the passage implies that war, especially when waged without broad international consensus, lacks moral justification. 3. Why do countries occupied and under the tutelage of hyperpower have no peace? Answer: Countries occupied and under the tutelage of hyperpower, as exemplified by Afghanistan, often experience instability and chaos. The removal of existing power structures, like the Taliban in Afghanistan, can lead to power vacuums. Instead of transitioning to a new era of democracy under the guidance of the occupying hyperpower, these countries may see the return of previous destabilizing forces, such as warlords. The insecurity in regions beyond capital cities further hampers reconstruction efforts and the delivery of relief aid, perpetuating unrest. 4. Arguably Europe and hyperpower US are at cross purposes over the concept of war. Are they? Why? Answer: Yes, Europe and the hyperpower US appear to be at cross purposes over the concept of war. The mobilization for war against Iraq split the United Nations and led to massive anti-war demonstrations globally. While America was determined to wage war, even if it meant going solo, European nations, representing their electorate's wishes, expressed concerns and reservations. The public disdain in America towards countries like France and Germany, as evidenced by actions like renaming French fries to 'freedom fries', further underscores this divide. 5. What Tony Blair’s meant by ‘wise counsel’, and did it prevail? Answer: Prime Minister Tony Blair's reference to 'wise counsel' suggests offering prudent advice or guidance to the hyperpower, America, in its global actions and decisions. Blair believed that in the face of such overwhelming power, the best approach was to provide sound counsel. However, given America's determination to pursue its course, especially concerning the Iraq war, and its reluctance to heed the concerns of allied governments, it can be inferred that this 'wise counsel' did not prevail. KEYWORDS: Neo-imperial America, Doctrine of Power, 9/11 Response, Hyperpower, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan War, Iraq War, Pre-emptive Strike, United Nations Split, Tony Blair's Wise Counsel, Moral Equivalence, Occupation Challenges, Global Anti-war Demonstrations, American Dominance, International Relations.