UPSC Mains Daily Answer Writing (14-12-2022) - GS 1

Questions

Q1. What do you understand by new imperialism? It is said that new imperialism was the consequence of overt nationalism and covert greed. Analyse the statement. (150 words) 10 marks

Q2. The slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan’ evolved in two stages. In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan”. (150 words)  10 marks

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Model Solutions

Q1. What do you understand by new imperialism? It is said that new imperialism was the consequence of overt nationalism and covert greed. Analyse the statement. (150 words) 10 marks

Model structure
Introduction:

• New imperialism refers to the wave of colonial expansion that began in the late 19th century and continued until WW-1.
• Opium wars and the scramble for Africa are two important markers of this new phenomena propelled by rising powers of Europe, USA and Japan.

Main Body:

• The overt nationalism of the period is seen to be a causative factor for rise of new imperialism due to following reasons:
  • Competition for Colonies: Rising waves of nationalism pushed European governments to compete for control over colonies before their competitors took hold of them.
  • Racial Superiority: Myths of racial superiority twisted nationalism, one's own nation was superior to others and had the right to rule over them to spread ‘civilization’.
    • For example, Kipling’ description of USA’s role as white man’s burden, exhorting the latter to take control of the Philippines.
  • Matter of Prestige and Envy: Imperialism became the ground of national glory. In Japan, imperial expansion marked the modern resurgence of the nation.
  • Nationalistic Capitalism: There was competition among capitalist classes of different countries such as of Britain and Germany.
    • This competition fueled colonial pursuits backed by financial capital to deliver markets and growth.
• Not only overt nationalism, but covert greed also led to imperialism:
  • Search for economic prosperity among new nations: outward looking approach among nations which prompted a search for colonies to fuel economic prosperity.
  • Capitalistic Greed: Emergence of capitalism led to narrow-minded pursuit of profit.
    • With surplus production, it became necessary for European nations to expand their markets globally to sell their products.
  • Slave labor: Demand of cheap labor to reduce production cost, led to creation of slave plantations in tropical regions.

Conclusion:

• The new imperialism was rooted in false nationalism and capitalistic greed. It changed both western society and its colonies, and held in its depth seeds of not one, but two global wars.

Q2. The slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan’ evolved in two stages. In the light of this statement, discuss the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan”. (150 words) 10 marks

Model Structure
Introduction:

• ‘Jai jawan Jai Kisan’ was given in 1965 by PM Lal Bahadur Shastri to enthuse the soldiers to defend the country and encourage the farmers to increase food grain production to make India self-sufficient.
• Later in 1998, in the backdrop of India’s second nuclear bomb test, the then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee improvised the slogan to include ‘Jai Vigyan’ to underline the importance of science and technology in developing the country.

Main Body:

• The significance of the slogan:
  • India had lost to China in the war of 1962, and then in 1965, it was facing another war with Pakistan.
    • So, the Jai Jawan meaning ‘hail soliders’ was meant to rally the support of the masses towards the cause of soldiers and boost their morale.
  • During the 1950's and 60’s the country was facing a severe food shortage. India had to import food grains under the PL-480 programme.
    • The slogan ‘Jai Kisan’ was to lay emphasis on agriculture & the farmers of the country.
  • The slogan of Jai Jawan jai Kisan was linked with sovereignty and self-respect of the nation.
    • This slogan raised the morale of every section and restored the faith of the nation in the noble ideals like sacrifice, fraternity, solidarity, compassion etc. which drove our national movement.
  • In 1990’s India conducted its second nuclear bomb test (Operation shakti) to reassure the nation and remind the world that India is strong and capable of defending itself against any kind of aggression.

Conclusion:

• In 2019, PM Narendra Modi added “Jai Anusandhan” to highlight the importance of our national scientific institutions like national laboratories, central universities, IIT, IISc, TIFR & IISER in driving the R & D in the country to solve pressing issues that the country is facing.
• Hence, the slogan was used and modified by leaders to highlight the issues and raise the consciousness of the masses so that together we can take concerted steps towards solving those issues.

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