International Relations CSS Syllabus (200 Marks) – Confidently Prepare & Score Higher

The International Relations CSS Syllabus is a highly relevant and dynamic optional subject for CSS aspirants preparing for the CSS exam conducted by FPSC. It covers core areas such as international politics, foreign policy analysis, global security, international political economy, and Pakistan’s relations with major world powers. It has strong linkage with Current Affairs, Pakistan Affairs, and Essay papers, and International Relations offering excellent scoring potential when prepared strategically.

Paper—1 (Marks-100)

I. Introduction

1. The Definition and Scope of International Relations
2. The Nation-State System
3. Evolution of International Society

II. Theories and Approaches

1. The Classical Approaches
   • Realism
   • Idealism
2. The Scientific Revolution
   • Behavioral Approach
   • System Approach
3. Neo-realism and Neo-liberalism
4. Post-modernism and Critical Theory
5. Feminism
6. Constructivism

III. International Political Security

1. Conceptualization of Security in the Twenty-First Century
2. Power
   • Elements of National Power
3. Balance of Power
4. Foreign Policy
   • Determinants
   • Decision Making and Analysis
5. Sovereignty
6. National Interest

IV. Strategic Approach to International Relations

1. War
   • Causation of War
   • Total War
   • Limited War
   • Asymmetric Warfare
   • Civil War
   • Guerilla Warfare
2. Strategic Culture
   • Determinants of Pakistani Strategic Culture
3. Deterrence
   • Theory and Practice with Special Reference to India and Pakistan

V. International Political Economy (IPE)

1. Theories in IPE
   • Mercantilism
   • Economic Liberalism
   • Neo-Marxism
2. Theories of Imperialism
3. Dependence and Interdependence Discourse

VI. International Political Community

1. Nationalism
2. Internationalism
3. Globalization

VII. Approaches to Peace

1. Diplomacy
2. International Law
3. Arms Control / Disarmament and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime

VIII. International Political Institutions

1. United Nations
2. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
3. World Bank
4. International Court of Justice

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Paper—II (Marks-100)

I. International Relations between Two Wars

1. Russian Revolution
2. Fascism
3. League of Nations
4. Second World War

II. Cold War

1. Decolonization in Asia and Africa
2. Rise of United States and Soviet Union
3. Cold War Phases
   • Era of Tight Bipolarity
   • Détente and Loose Bipolarity
   • Revival of Cold War

III. Post-Cold War

1. End of History
2. Clash of Civilizations
3. Terrorism
4. Globalization
5. Unipolarity (New World Order)
6. Revival of Multi-Polarity

IV. International and Regional Organizations

1. League of Nations
2. United Nations
3. Regional Organizations
   • EU
   • ASEAN
   • NAFTA
   • SAARC
   • SCO
   • OIC
   • ECO
4. Reforms in the United Nations, World Bank, and the IMF

V. Foreign Policy of Selected Countries

1. USA
2. Russia
3. China
4. UK
5. India
6. Pakistan
7. EU

VI. South Asia

1. Peace-making and Peace-Building in South Asia
   • Analytical Overview of Peace Processes, especially between India and Pakistan
2. India and Pakistan Relations
   • Agreements and Accords
   • Indus Water Treaty
   • Composite Dialogue
   • Sir Creek & Siachen Border
   • Visa and People-to-People Contact
   • Trade and Role of Civil Society
3. Afghanistan
   • Cold War Theatre
   • Soviet Invasion and Mujahedeen
   • Geneva Accord
   • Post-Cold War Situation: Rise of Taliban, Al-Qaeda & 9/11
   • Operation Enduring Freedom
   • The Bonn Process and Withdrawal

VII. Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

1. Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
2. Nuclear Weapon States
   • Programs and Postures
   • Indian-Pakistan Nuclear Doctrines
3. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime
   • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
   • Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
   • Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG)
   • Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT)
   • Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
   • Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT)
4. Challenges of Non-Proliferation
5. Cooperation for Nuclear Energy
6. The Missile Defense Systems and Their Impact on Global Strategic Environment
7. Militarization and Weaponization of Space

VIII. Contemporary Issues

1. Euro-Atlantic vs. Asia Pacific: Great Power Policies
2. Kashmir Issue
3. Palestine Issue

FPSC RECOMMENDED BOOKS List for International Relations CSS Syllabus

S.No.	Title	Author
1.	World Politics: Trend and Transformation, Ninth Edition	Charles W. Kegley Jr. and Eugene R. Wittkopf
2.	Understanding International Relations, Second Edition	Chris Brown
3.	Politics Among Nations	Hans J. Morgenthau
4.	International Politics: A Framework for Analysis	Holsti, K.J.
5.	Contemporary Security and Strategy	Craig A. Snyder (ed.)
6.	The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations	John Baylis and Steve Smith (eds.)
7.	Games Nations Play, Seventh Edition	John Spanier
8.	Essentials of International Relations	Karen Mingst
9.	World in Collision: Terror and the Future of Global Order	Ken Booth and Tim Dunne (ed.)
10.	Theory of International Politics	Kenneth N. Waltz
11.	Theories of International Relations	Scott Burchill and Andrew Linklater
12.	The Causes of Wars	Michael Howard
13.	Politics of Nuclear Weapons in South Asia	Bhumitra Chakma (ed.)
14.	The Twenty Years’ Crisis: 1919–1939: An Introduction to the Study of International Relations	E. H. Carr
15.	Bomb Scare: The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons	Joseph Cirincione
16.	Arms Control: The New Guide to Negotiations and Agreements	Jozef Goldblat
17.	Explaining Foreign Policy	Lloyd Jensen
18.	The International Politics of Space	Michael Sheehan
19.	Foreign Policy Making Process: A Case Study of Pakistan	Moonis Ahmar (ed.)
20.	Planning the Unthinkable: How New Powers Will Use Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons	Peter R. Lavoy, Scott D. Sagan, and James J. Wirtz
21.	Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: An Historical Analysis	S. M. Burke
22.	International Relations: Politics and Economy in the 21st Century	William Nester
23.	Foreign Policy and Political Process	William Wallace
24.	Nuclear Risk Reduction Measures and Restraint Regime in South Asia	Zafar Nawaz Jaspal
25.	The India–Pakistan Military Standoff: Crisis and Escalation in South Asia (United States)	Zachary S. Davis (ed.)
26.	Nuclear Pakistan: Strategic Dimensions	Zulfqar Khan (ed.)

FPSC Official International Relations CSS Syllabus

Here is the link to the International Relations CSS syllabus on FPSC official website

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