University of Lucknow B.A. Semester III — Previous Year Question Papers

This page is being built subject-by-subject as the complete Previous Year Question (PYQ) paper bank for University of Lucknow B.A. (NEP) Semester III students. We are starting with Political Science, which is now fully available below with both Semester III core papers — Classical Western Political Thought (P5) and Comparative Government: U.K. and France (P6) — each with 5 complete model sets (Set A to Set E) of 10 questions each, prepared by LUUPDATE for focused B.A. Semester III exam practice. More B.A. Semester III subjects, such as History, Economics, Sociology, Hindi, English and others, will be added to this same page in future updates, so please bookmark this page and check back regularly as new subjects are published.

Political Science

Political Science at B.A. Semester III (University of Lucknow, NEP syllabus) has two compulsory core papers. P5 – Classical Western Political Thought and P6 – Comparative Government (U.K. and France) are both compulsory papers for every student enrolled in Political Science this semester, and both are covered in full below.

P5 – Classical Western Political Thought (Compulsory)

Classical Western Political Thought (Paper-I, P5) covers the Main Characteristics of Ancient Greek Political Thought, Plato's Theory of Justice, Ideal State and Communism, and Aristotle's Theory of State, Classification of Governments and Theory of Revolution (Unit I); the Main Characteristics of Roman Political Thought, and Cicero's Natural Law, Mixed Constitution and Concept of Republic (Unit II); the Main Characteristics of Medieval Political Thought, and Saint Augustine's City of God, Two Cities Doctrine and Views on State and Church (Unit III); and the Church-State Controversy, Saint Thomas Aquinas's Natural Law, Just War Theory and Divine/Natural/Human Law, and Marsiglio of Padua's Defensor Pacis, Popular Sovereignty and Separation of Church and State (Unit IV). Time: 3 Hours, Maximum Marks: 75. Answer any five of the ten questions given below; all questions carry equal marks (15 each). The five sets below (Set A to Set E) give you full practice coverage across every unit of the syllabus.

Set A

Q1. Discuss the main characteristics of Ancient Greek political thought and explain the factors that made the Greek city-state (polis) the natural unit of political speculation for thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle. [15]

Q2. Examine the salient features of the Greek approach to politics, bringing out the close relationship it established between ethics and politics, and between the individual and the state. [15]

Q3. Give an account of Plato's Theory of Justice as expounded in the Republic, and examine the relationship he establishes between justice in the individual soul and justice in the state. [15]

Q4. Discuss the main characteristics of Roman political thought and examine the extent to which it was influenced by, and yet differed from, Greek political speculation. [15]

Q5. Examine the contribution of Roman political thought to the development of the science of law and the theory of the state, with special reference to the concept of a universal, cosmopolitan community. [15]

Q6. Discuss the main characteristics of Medieval political thought and examine the manner in which the dominance of the Christian Church transformed the character of political speculation in Europe. [15]

Q7. Examine the impact of Christianity on political thought in the medieval period, with particular reference to the emergence of the doctrine of the dual authority of Church and State. [15]

Q8. Discuss the nature and significance of the Church-State controversy in medieval Europe, examining the principal issues at stake in the conflict between spiritual and temporal authority. [15]

Q9. Examine the doctrine of the Two Swords as an attempt to resolve the Church-State controversy in medieval Europe, and discuss its implications for the relationship between Pope and Emperor. [15]

Q10. Give an account of Saint Thomas Aquinas's Theory of Law and examine the fourfold classification of law – eternal, natural, divine and human – that he sets out in the Summa Theologica. [15]

Set B

Q1. Discuss Plato's conception of the Ideal State and examine the threefold class division of Rulers, Warriors and Producers on which it rests. [15]

Q2. Explain Plato's Theory of Communism of Wives and Property as a means of ensuring unity in the guardian class of his Ideal State, and examine the criticisms levelled against it. [15]

Q3. Discuss Plato's Theory of Education as an instrument for the training of philosopher-rulers, and examine its place within the broader scheme of his Ideal State. [15]

Q4. Give an account of Cicero's Theory of Natural Law and examine the significance of his conception of a universal law of reason binding upon all mankind. [15]

Q5. Discuss Cicero's conception of the Mixed Constitution and examine why he regarded a balanced combination of monarchical, aristocratic and democratic elements as the ideal form of government. [15]

Q6. Give an account of Saint Augustine's doctrine of the Two Cities as expounded in the City of God, and examine the distinction he draws between the City of God and the earthly city. [15]

Q7. Discuss Saint Augustine's views on the origin and nature of the state, and examine why he regarded the state as a consequence of the sinfulness of man rather than as a natural institution. [15]

Q8. Examine Saint Augustine's conception of the relationship between Church and State, and discuss the extent to which his ideas laid the foundation for the later Church-State controversy in medieval Europe. [15]

Q9. Discuss Saint Thomas Aquinas's Theory of Natural Law and examine the relationship he establishes between natural law, human law and the eternal law of God. [15]

Q10. Examine Saint Thomas Aquinas's Just War Theory and discuss the conditions he lays down for a war to be considered just. [15]

Set C

Q1. Examine Plato's conception of the Philosopher-King and discuss why he considered the rule of philosophers essential for the realisation of justice in the state. [15]

Q2. Critically examine Plato's Theory of Justice, bringing out its merits as well as the principal criticisms that have been directed against it by later political thinkers. [15]

Q3. Discuss Aristotle's Theory of the State, examining his view of the state as a natural institution and his celebrated dictum that man is by nature a political animal. [15]

Q4. Explain Cicero's concept of the Republic (res publica) and discuss his view of the state as a partnership in justice founded upon the consent and common interest of the people. [15]

Q5. Examine Cicero's theory of justice and law, and discuss the relationship he establishes between natural law, human law and the moral obligation of the citizen to obey the state. [15]

Q6. Discuss the influence of Stoic philosophy on Cicero's political ideas, particularly his doctrine of natural law and the essential equality and brotherhood of all human beings. [15]

Q7. Discuss Saint Augustine's views on justice, peace and the moral purpose of political authority as set out in the City of God. [15]

Q8. Examine the significance of Saint Augustine's City of God as a response to the fall of Rome, and assess its influence on the development of medieval Christian political philosophy. [15]

Q9. Discuss Saint Thomas Aquinas's views on the state and political authority, and examine how he reconciled Aristotelian political philosophy with Christian theology. [15]

Q10. Examine Saint Thomas Aquinas's conception of the relationship between Church and State, and discuss the extent to which he subordinated temporal authority to spiritual authority. [15]

Set D

Q1. Explain Aristotle's classification of governments into normal and perverted forms, and discuss the criteria he employs to distinguish good governments from bad ones. [15]

Q2. Discuss Aristotle's Theory of Revolution, examining the causes of revolution he identifies and the remedies he suggests for preventing revolutions in the state. [15]

Q3. Examine Aristotle's theory of the best practicable state and his conception of the Middle Class State as the most stable form of constitution. [15]

Q4. Examine Cicero's contribution to the theory of the state, and assess his significance as a link between Greek political philosophy and the political and legal thought of medieval Europe. [15]

Q5. Discuss the significance of Roman law in the evolution of Western political and legal institutions, and examine how Cicero's ideas contributed to this legal tradition. [15]

Q6. Discuss the general characteristics of medieval political thought, examining the twin pillars of feudalism and the universal Church upon which medieval political and social organisation rested. [15]

Q7. Examine Saint Augustine's theory of the state as a remedy for sin, and discuss the implications of this view for the relationship between temporal political authority and divine authority. [15]

Q8. Assess the contribution of Saint Augustine to the development of Christian political philosophy, and examine his influence on subsequent medieval thinkers such as Saint Thomas Aquinas. [15]

Q9. Give an account of Marsiglio of Padua's political ideas as expounded in the Defensor Pacis, and examine his theory of Popular Sovereignty. [15]

Q10. Discuss Marsiglio of Padua's views on the Separation of Church and State, and examine why he is regarded as one of the earliest exponents of the secular theory of the state. [15]

Set E

Q1. Compare and contrast the political ideas of Plato and Aristotle, particularly with reference to their respective theories of the ideal state and the classification of governments. [15]

Q2. Discuss Aristotle's views on the origin and purpose of the state and examine his criticism of Plato's Theory of Communism as expressed in the Politics. [15]

Q3. Examine the main points of similarity and difference between Cicero's conception of the Mixed Constitution and Aristotle's theory of the best practicable state. [15]

Q4. Discuss Cicero's views on the origin of the state and examine his argument that the state arises from the natural sociability of man rather than from mere necessity or force. [15]

Q5. Assess the enduring influence of Cicero's political philosophy on later Western political thought, particularly on the natural law tradition of the medieval and modern periods. [15]

Q6. Discuss the transition from Roman to Medieval political thought, examining the manner in which classical ideas of the state were reinterpreted in the light of Christian theology. [15]

Q7. Examine the doctrine of the two cities in Saint Augustine's thought and discuss how it shaped medieval conceptions of the proper relationship between secular government and religious authority. [15]

Q8. Examine Marsiglio of Padua's conception of the law-making authority of the community (legislator humanus) and discuss its significance as an anticipation of modern democratic theory. [15]

Q9. Compare the political ideas of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Marsiglio of Padua on the question of the relationship between Church and State, bringing out the principal points of difference between them. [15]

Q10. Assess the significance of the Church-State controversy and the contributions of Saint Thomas Aquinas and Marsiglio of Padua in shaping the transition from medieval to modern political thought. [15]

P6 – Comparative Government (U.K. and France) (Compulsory)

Comparative Government: U.K. and France (Paper-II, P6) covers, for the United Kingdom, its Historical and Constitutional Development, the Salient Features of the Constitution, Constitutional Conventions, and the Crown (Unit I), and the Parliament, Cabinet System, Rule of Law and Party System (Unit II); and, for France, the Making of the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, the Salient Features of the Constitution, the President and the Government, and the National Assembly and the Senate (Unit III), and the Judicial System, Administrative Law and Party System (Unit IV). Time: 3 Hours, Maximum Marks: 75. Answer any five of the ten questions given below; all questions carry equal marks (15 each). The five sets below (Set A to Set E) give you full practice coverage across every unit of the syllabus.

Set A

Q1. Trace the historical and constitutional development of the British Constitution, highlighting the major stages through which it has evolved. [15]

Q2. Discuss the salient features of the British Constitution and examine why it is described as unwritten, flexible and evolutionary. [15]

Q3. Explain the meaning and importance of constitutional conventions in the working of the British Constitution, with suitable examples. [15]

Q4. Discuss the composition, powers and functions of the British Parliament, and examine its position as the supreme legislative organ of the State. [15]

Q5. Examine the composition and powers of the House of Commons and discuss the factors responsible for its predominance over the House of Lords. [15]

Q6. Discuss the circumstances that led to the making of the Constitution of the Fifth French Republic, and examine the role played by General de Gaulle in its formulation. [15]

Q7. Discuss the salient features of the Constitution of the Fifth French Republic. [15]

Q8. Examine the process by which the Constitution of the Fifth Republic was drafted and adopted in 1958, and discuss the main objectives sought to be achieved through it. [15]

Q9. Discuss the organisation of the judicial system in France, and examine the distinction between the ordinary courts and the administrative courts. [15]

Q10. Explain the meaning, nature and scope of Administrative Law in France, and discuss its significance in the French legal system. [15]

Set B

Q1. 'The British Constitution is a monument of conventions rather than law.' Discuss this statement with reference to the role of conventions in Britain's governmental system. [15]

Q2. Discuss the historical evolution of the institution of the Crown in Britain and examine its present-day constitutional position. [15]

Q3. Examine the doctrine of the Sovereignty of Parliament as a salient feature of the British Constitution, and discuss the limitations, if any, on this sovereignty. [15]

Q4. Discuss the composition, powers and functions of the House of Lords and examine the reforms that have been introduced to curtail its powers. [15]

Q5. Explain the process of law-making in the British Parliament, tracing the passage of a bill from its introduction to royal assent. [15]

Q6. Discuss the powers and functions of the President of France under the Fifth Republic Constitution, and examine his position vis-a-vis the Government. [15]

Q7. Explain the method of election of the President of France and discuss the significance of the constitutional amendment providing for his direct election. [15]

Q8. Examine the relationship between the President and the Prime Minister in France, and discuss the concept of 'cohabitation' in French politics. [15]

Q9. Discuss the composition, powers and functions of the Conseil d'Etat (Council of State) in France, and examine its role in the development of French Administrative Law. [15]

Q10. Examine the role and composition of the Constitutional Council of France, and discuss its significance in ensuring the constitutionality of laws. [15]

Set C

Q1. 'The King reigns but does not rule.' Examine the truth of this statement with reference to the position of the Crown in contemporary British politics. [15]

Q2. Discuss the sources of the British Constitution and explain why it is regarded as a growth rather than a creation. [15]

Q3. Examine the significance of the unification of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales in the constitutional development of the United Kingdom. [15]

Q4. Discuss the composition and functions of the British Cabinet and examine the position of the Prime Minister within it. [15]

Q5. Examine the doctrine of collective responsibility of the Cabinet to Parliament, and discuss its significance in the working of the British parliamentary system. [15]

Q6. Discuss the composition, powers and functions of the French Government (Council of Ministers) and examine its relationship with the President and the Parliament. [15]

Q7. Discuss the composition and powers of the National Assembly of France, and examine its role in the legislative process. [15]

Q8. Examine the composition, powers and functions of the Senate of France, and compare its position with that of the National Assembly. [15]

Q9. Discuss the dual system of courts in France, distinguishing between the judicial order and the administrative order, and examine the rationale behind this separation. [15]

Q10. Examine the main sources and principles of French Administrative Law, and compare them with the Rule of Law as understood in Britain. [15]

Set D

Q1. Discuss the various prerogative powers of the Crown and examine the extent to which they are actually exercised by the Monarch today. [15]

Q2. Distinguish between a written and an unwritten constitution, and evaluate the merits and demerits of the British Constitution being unwritten. [15]

Q3. Discuss the relationship between the Cabinet and Parliament in Britain, and examine how the Cabinet system reflects the fusion of executive and legislative powers. [15]

Q4. Explain the meaning and essential elements of the Rule of Law as expounded by A.V. Dicey, and examine its significance in the British constitutional system. [15]

Q5. Examine the criticisms levelled against Dicey's concept of the Rule of Law, and discuss the extent to which it is still relevant in contemporary Britain. [15]

Q6. Discuss the legislative procedure in the French Parliament, and examine the constitutional devices available to the Government for controlling the legislative process. [15]

Q7. Examine the circumstances under which the President of France can dissolve the National Assembly, and discuss the significance of this power. [15]

Q8. Discuss the origin and development of the multi-party system in France, and examine the factors responsible for its persistence. [15]

Q9. Examine the role of political parties in the functioning of the Fifth French Republic, with reference to the major parties of the Left and the Right. [15]

Q10. Discuss the impact of the multi-party system on the stability of government in France, and examine the constitutional devices adopted to counter this instability. [15]

Set E

Q1. Examine the role of the Crown as a symbol of national unity and continuity in the constitutional system of the United Kingdom. [15]

Q2. Discuss the essential characteristics of a constitutional monarchy with special reference to the British Crown. [15]

Q3. Discuss the origin and development of the two-party system in Britain, and examine the role played by the Conservative and Labour parties in its political system. [15]

Q4. Examine the main features of the British party system and discuss the factors responsible for its stability. [15]

Q5. Discuss the role of the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow cabinet in the functioning of the British parliamentary system. [15]

Q6. Discuss the doctrine of rationalized parliamentarism as embodied in the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, and examine how it has strengthened the executive vis-a-vis the legislature. [15]

Q7. Compare the constitutional position of the President of France with that of the British Crown, bringing out the essential differences between the two. [15]

Q8. Compare the French multi-party system with the British two-party system, bringing out the reasons for their divergent development. [15]

Q9. Examine the composition and jurisdiction of the Court of Cassation in France, and discuss its role as the highest court of the judicial order. [15]

Q10. Discuss the significance of Administrative Law and the droit administratif in protecting citizens against the actions of the State in France. [15]