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CSS International Relations Syllabus
International Relations is a 200-mark Group I optional subject in the CSS written exam, examined in two three-hour papers of 100 marks each. Below is FPSC's official syllabus, word for word: both papers, their sections, topics and suggested readings.
- Marks
- 200
- Papers
- 2
- Time
- 3 hours a paper
- Group
- Group I
- Subject code
- 15
Paper—1
100 marks- I.Introduction
- •The Definition and Scope of International Relations.
- •The Nation-State System
- •Evolution of International Society
- II.Theories and Approaches
- •The Classical Approaches-Realism and Idealism
- •The Scientific Revolution-Behavioral Approach, System Approach,
- •Neo-realism, Neo-liberalism.
- •Post-modernism, Critical Theory, Feminism, Constructivism
- III.International Political Security.
- •Conceptualization of security in the Twenty-First century
- •Power. Elements of National Power
- •Balance of Power
- •Foreign Policy: Determinants, Decision Making and Analysis
- •Sovereignty
- •National Interest
- IV.Strategic Approach to International Relation.
- •War: Causation of War, Total War, Limited War, Asymmetric Warfare, Civil War, Guerilla Warfare
- •Strategic Culture: Determinants of Pakistani Strategic Culture.
- •Deterrence: Theory and practice with special reference to India and Pakistan
- V.International Political Economy.
- •Theories in IPE: Mercantilism, Economic Liberalism, and Neo- Marxism
- •Theories of Imperialism, Dependence and Interdependence discourse
- VI.International political community.
- •Nationalism
- •Internationalism
- •Globalization
- VII.Approaches to Peace
- •Diplomacy
- •International Law
- •Arms Control /Disarmament and Nuclear Non proliferation Regime
- VIII.International Political Institution
- •United Nations
- •International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- •World Bank
- •International Court of Justice
Paper- II
100 marks- I.International Relation between two Wars
- •Russian Revolution, Fascism, League of Nations, Second World War
- II.Cold War
- •Decolonization in Asia and Africa.
- •Rise of United States and Soviet Union,
- •Era of Tight Bipolarity, Détente and Loose Bipolarity, Revival of Cold War
- III.Post Cold War
- •End of History, Clash of Civilizations, Terrorism, Globalization, Unipolarity (New World Order) and Revival of Multi-Polarity
- IV.International and Regional Organizations
- •League of Nations, United Nations, Regional Organizations, EU, ASEAN, NAFTA, SAARC, SCO, OIC, ECO, WTO.
- •Reforms in the United Nations, World Bank and the IMF
- V.Foreign Policy of Selected Countries
- •USA, Russia, China, UK, India, Pakistan and EU
- VI.South Asia
- •Peace-making and Peace-Building in South Asia: Analytical overview of peace processes between/among the states of South Asia especially between India and Pakistan.
- •
- India and Pakistan: Overview of agreements and accords
- Indus Water Treaty
- Composite Dialogue
- Sir Creek & Siachen border
- Visa and People to people contact
- Trade, and Role of civil society
- •
- Afghanistan: Cold war theatre
- Soviet Invasion and Mujahedeen
- Geneva Accord
- Post Cold War situation---Rise of Taliban
- AL-Qeada & 9/11
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- The Bonn Process- Withdrawal
- VII.Weapons of Mass Destruction
- •Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
- •Nuclear Weapon States- Programs and Postures: Indian-Pakistan Nuclear Doctrines
- •
- Nuclear Non –Proliferation Regime: International Atomic Energy Agency
- Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty
- Nuclear Supplier Group
- Partial Test Ban Treaty
- Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
- Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty
- •Challenges of Non-Proliferation, Cooperation for Nuclear Energy
- •The Missile Defence Systems and their impact on global strategic environment
- •Militarization and Weaponization of Space.
- VIII.Contemporary Issues
- •Euro-Atlantic Vs. Asia Pacific: Great Power Policies
- •Kashmir Issue
- •Palestine Issue
Suggested readings
- 1.World Politics: Trend and Transformation, Ninth EditionCharles W. Kegley JR. and Eugene R Wittkopf
- 2.Understanding International Relations, Second EditionChris Brown
- 3.Politics Among NationsHans j. Morgenthau
- 4.International Politics: A Framework for AnalysisHolsti, K.J.
- 5.Contemporary Security and StrategyCraig A. Snyder (ed.),
- 6.The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International RelationsJohn Baylis and Stev Smith,eds
- 7.Games Nations Play, Seventh EditionJohn Spanier
- 8.Essentials readings in World PoliticsKaren Mingst
- 9.World in Collision: Terror and the Future of Global OrderKen Booth and Tim Dunne, ed
- 10.Theory of International PoliticsKenneth N. Waltz
- 11.Theories of International RelationsScott Burchill and Andrew Linklater
- 12.The Cause of WarsMichael Howard
- 13.Politics of Nuclear Weapons in south AsiaBhumitra Chakma, ed
- 14.The Twenty Year’s Crisis ; 1919-1939:An Introduction to the Study of International RelationE.H. Carr
- 15.Bomb Scare: The History and Future of Nuclear WeaponsJoseph Cirincione
- 16.Arms Control: The New Guide to Negotiations and AgreementsJozef Goldblat
- 17.Explaining Foreign PolicyLlyod Jenson
- 18.The International Politics of SpaceMichael Sheehan
- 19.Foreign Policy Making Process: A Case Study of PakistanMoonis Ahmar, ed
- 20.Planning the Unthinkable How New Powers Will Use Nuclear Biological And Chemical WeaponsPeter R. Lavoy, Scott D. Sagan, and James J. Wirtz
- 21.Pakistan’s Foreign Policy : An Historical AnalysisS.M. Burke
- 22.International Relations: Politics and Economy in the 21st CenturyWilliam Nester
- 23.Foreign Policy and Political processWilliam Wallace
- 24.Nuclear Risk Reduction Measures and Restraint Regime in South AsiaZafar Nawaz Jaspal
- 25.The India- Pakistan Military Standoff; Crisis and Escalation in South Asia (United StatesZachary S. Davis, edUnclosed parenthesis '(United States' as printed.
- 26.Nuclear Pakistan: Strategic DimensionsZulfiqar Khan, ed
Past papers
FPSC's International Relations papers from 2016 to 2026, as text. Open a year, or see them all.