1. Who said, ‘Functionalism can indeed be interpreted as a conscious alternative to Marxism’? (Dec-2012)

1. WG Runciman
2. Robert K Merton
3. Oran Young
4. David Easton

Answer: 1

Explanation: WG Runciman proposed that functionalism serves as a deliberate counterpoint to Marxism. He asserted that functionalism, as a political ideology, is heavily influenced by the framework of American capitalism, a viewpoint that Marxists reject. Unlike Marxism, functionalism doesn’t adhere to a rigid set of causal laws but rather prioritizes the normative aspects of social systems. Runciman, the author of the renowned book “Social Science and Political Theory,” presented these arguments to challenge prevailing perspectives on functionalism and its relationship with Marxism.

2. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists (DEC 2013)

Options:

1. A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
2. A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
3. A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV
4. A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III

Answer: 1

Explanation:

1. Richard Lowenthal – “World Communism”: This book discusses the post-Stalinist developments within the communist movement.
2. Benjarnin L. Schwartz “Communism and Chinese Ideology in Flux”: Here, the author explores the evolution of Chinese ideology and the growth of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, detailing various aircraft types.
3. Edgar Snow “Red China Today: This book offers insights into the early foundations and development of the Chinese Communist movement, up until the late 1930s.
4. Richard H. Solomon “Mao’s Revolution and the Chinese Political Culture”: In this work, Solomon delves into traditional Chinese attitudes toward authority and the policy disputes among elites in China since 1949.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.