Mains Practice Questions

1)

Quotes to Enrich your essay:

• “The only tyrant I accept in this world is the still small voice within me.” Mahatma Gandhi.
• "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Abraham Lincoln.
• "With great power comes great responsibility." A famous proverb.
• "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton.

Philosophical and Theoretical Dimensions:

• Ethics of Power: Power, in its essence, is a tool, what defines its worth is how it is used. The way a leader exercises their authority shapes not only their legacy but also the society they lead.
• Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle have long pondered the nature of power.
  • Plato stresses that those who wield power should be guided by wisdom, virtue, and a sense of justice. Aristotle’s notion of power as a means to promote the common good reiterates the idea that true power should be used to uplift others.
  • This quote emphasizes that true leadership stems from self-awareness and moral guidance, not from a desire to control others. Gandhi’s leadership exemplified that power should be grounded in non-violence and truth.
• Power Theory of Immanuel Kant: Immanuel Kant argued that power must be exercised in accordance with universal moral laws. In his view, the morality of an action does not depend on its consequences but on whether it upholds duty and respects the inherent dignity of individuals.
  • For Kant, power should never be used as a means to exploit or dominate others but to serve the greater good.
• In Hindu philosophy, Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita that power must be exercised in accordance with Dharma, the cosmic order.
  • Krishna illustrates that real power lies in controlling one’s desires and ego, and focusing on actions for the greater good.

Historical and Contemporary Examples:

• Ashoka the Great: A powerful ruler who initially expanded his empire through military conquest, Ashoka transformed after witnessing the carnage of the Kalinga War. He became a symbol of a leader whose power, once used for destruction, was redirected toward the welfare of his people.
• Gandhi and the Indian Independence Movement: Mahatma Gandhi's leadership during India's independence struggle was rooted not in the pursuit of political power but in the moral use of power for justice.
  • His principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (truth-force) redefined the meaning of power in the political realm.
  • His commitment to justice and equality, even in the face of immense adversity, embodies the measure of a man’s character through how he uses his power.
• Nelson Mandela: Mandela’s use of power after his release from prison stands as a model of ethical leadership. His presidency was not about revenge or punishment for apartheid’s architects but about reconciliation and nation-building.
• Adolf Hitler: In contrast, Adolf Hitler used power for oppression and destruction. Hitler’s use of power left a legacy of suffering, death, and genocide, showing how power can be a corrupting influence when used for personal gain and ideological superiority.

Impact of Power on Society:

• Positive Impact: When power is exercised ethically, it has the potential to bring justice, equality, and progress. Leaders who serve the collective good, like Gandhi, inspire social cohesion, and their leadership creates long-lasting positive impacts on society.
• Negative Impact: Power misused for selfish reasons leads to corruption, inequality, and violence. Leaders who pursue personal gain, like dictatorships or authoritarian regimes, cause economic and social harm, and lead societies into decay and oppression.

Conclusion:

As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’’. True leadership is about using power to uplift others, to promote justice, and to serve the collective good. A just society depends on leaders who exercise their power with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. True power is not measured by the ability to control or subjugate but by the moral compass that guides its use.

2) 

Quotes to Enrich your essay:

• “Poverty is not just a lack of money; it is not having the capability to realize one’s full potential as a human being.” Amartya Sen
• Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” Aristotle

Philosophical and Ethical Underpinnings:

• Poverty is not just about material deprivation but the dehumanization of individuals. It creates systemic violence that perpetuates inequality, suffering, and social unrest. This essay explores how poverty becomes a form of violence, harming individuals not only economically but also psychologically and socially.
• Amartya Sen argues that poverty is not merely a lack of income but the deprivation of capabilities, the ability to function fully in society and achieve well-being. Poverty, therefore, limits freedom, which are essential for leading a dignified life.
  • It is a form of violence because it restricts individuals from exercising their human potential.
• Gandhian Philosophy: Gandhi viewed poverty as a moral issue. He believed that a society’s moral health is determined by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
  • In Gandhi's view, poverty is violence because it denies people access to the resources and opportunities they need to live with dignity and self-respect.
• Buddhist Ethics: In Buddhism, right livelihood is essential for achieving nirvana (liberation). Poverty prevents individuals from pursuing these rights and living in a way that fosters compassion, empathy, and human flourishing.

Historical and Contemporary Examples:

• Colonialism and Poverty: During the colonial period, European powers systematically exploited the resources of colonies, leaving entire populations impoverished. The violence of colonialism left a legacy of poverty that still affects many regions.
• Modern-Day Poverty and Conflict: Poverty remains a leading cause of social violence today. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, poverty exacerbates political instability, civil wars, and terrorism.
  • Poverty also drives migration, refugee crises, and human trafficking, further deepening global inequality and creating social unrest.
• India’s Anti-Poverty Initiatives: India’s efforts to combat poverty, such as the MGNREGA and PMAY represent attempts to address the violence caused by poverty by providing economic security, employment, and infrastructure development for the rural poor.

Impact of Poverty as Violence:

• Psychological and Social Violence: Poverty often leads to mental health issues, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, which are forms of psychological violence. It also leads to social exclusion, which increases the risk of violence within communities.
• Economic and Systemic Violence: Poverty limits access to education, healthcare, and justice, perpetuating inequality. This creates a cycle of violence where future generations are also trapped in poverty, unable to break free from the systemic barriers that prevent social mobility.

Conclusion:

Poverty is not just an economic condition but a form of violence that strips individuals of their rights, freedom, and human dignity. It is a systemic issue that creates psychological, social, and economic violence. As Gandhi rightly pointed out, poverty is the worst form of violence, and addressing it requires a moral commitment to creating a more equitable and just society. Only by eliminating poverty can we hope to create a world where all individuals have the opportunity to lead a life of dignity and fulfillment.