Телеграм канал «Sunya IAS - PSIR Optional»

Social Justice - Session 1.0 - PYQ Session - Sunya IAS - by Sugam Sir - EKLAVYA BATCH!

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Rise of Illiberal Democracies

Meaning: Regimes where elections exist, but liberal values such as constitutionalism, minority rights, press freedom, judicial independence and civil liberties weaken.

Why in news: Freedom House reported that global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025, with more countries deteriorating than improving. V-Dem’s recent democracy reports also focus on continuing autocratisation.

Scholar: Fareed Zakaria popularised the term “illiberal democracy.” Also use Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt on democratic backsliding.

Useful in liberal democracy, populism, majoritarianism, constitutionalism, and democratic backsliding. @psir_optional_Sunyaias

Keyword: “Elections without liberalism.”

Covered extensively in PSIR CA Class.

Pax Sinica: A possible China-centred order based on economic connectivity, infrastructure diplomacy, authoritarian capitalism, BRI, digital influence and alternative institutions.

Why in news: US–China rivalry over trade, Taiwan, AI, semiconductors, South China Sea and global institutions has intensified. Recent debates also argue that Pax Americana is weakening, opening space for middle powers and alternative orders. @psir_optional_Sunyaias

Use in changing world order, hegemony, multipolarity, China’s rise, and India’s strategic autonomy.

Keyword: “From liberal hegemony to contested hegemony.”

Scholars:
Joseph Nye — American soft power
John Mearsheimer — great power rivalry
Yan Xuetong — Chinese moral realism
Graham Allison — Thucydides Trap

### Pax Silica

Why in news: India joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The initiative aims to secure and democratically govern the global silicon stack, covering semiconductors, AI infrastructure and critical technology supply chains.

Meaning: A new geopolitical order centred around control of semiconductors, AI infrastructure, critical minerals, data and chip supply chains.

Useful in technology and geopolitics, US–China rivalry, economic security, global value chains, and strategic autonomy. Can be linked with Susan Strange’s “structural power” and Robert Cox’s “internationalisation of state.” @psir_optional_Sunyaias

Keyword: “Chips are the new oil.”

Why in news: Rising distrust in institutions, anti-incumbency, democratic backsliding, protests against inflation, inequality and elite capture reflect legitimacy stress in many democracies.

Meaning: A situation where citizens lose trust in the moral, legal or performance-based authority of the state. @psir_optional_Sunyaias

Scholar: Jürgen Habermas, *Legitimation Crisis*.

Use in Weber’s authority, Habermas, crisis of liberal democracy, welfare state, and populism.

Keyword: “Performance failure becomes legitimacy failure.”