AIR 25 · CSE 2025 · Sociology I · 88 pages

Bhavika Chopra: Sociology I answer copy

28 answers by Bhavika Chopra, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words : Critically evaluate dependency theory in explaining persistent under-development.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Discuss the methodological debate between positivism and interpretivism in sociology.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)"Sociological imagination links personal troubles with public issues." Elucidate with examples.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)What is reference-group behaviour? Discuss how it shapes consumer choices among urban youth.10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Assess the relevance of Weber's model of bureaucracy in the era of digital governance.10 marks
  6. Q2(a)Using Robert K. Merton's paradigm of conformity and deviance, show how climate activism is redefining normative structures worldwide.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)"Scientific temper and rational thinking are essential prerequisites for sociological inquiry." Comment on this statement with reference to the debate on value-neutrality in social research.20 marks
  8. Q2(c)Discuss the changing equations of discipline of Sociology with other social sciences.10 marks
  9. Q3(a)Evaluate the contribution of historical materialism to the contemporary analysis of global capitalism.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)Analyse the structural-functionalist explanation of social stratification and bring out its limitations.20 marks
  11. Q3(c)Discuss Parsons' AGIL schema as a framework for analysing social systems.10 marks
  12. Q4(a)How do mixed-method designs strengthen the validity and reliability of sociological research?20 marks
  13. Q4(b)Explain how the European Enlightenment created intellectual conditions for the birth of sociology.20 marks
  14. Q4(c)Explain Weber's concept of “Verstehen”. How does it enrich sociological inquiry?10 marks
  15. Q5(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words : How is civil society used in deepening the roots of democracy?10 marks
  16. Q5(b)How does the idea of alienation manifest in contemporary white-collar workspaces?10 marks
  17. Q5(c)"Power is diffused rather than concentrated in late-modern societies." Critically analyse.10 marks
  18. Q5(d)How do sects and cults differ from organised religion in their structure and social functions?10 marks
  19. Q5(e)Discuss symbolic interactionism as a framework to understand everyday social interactions.10 marks
  20. Q6(a)Evaluate the adequacy of classical theories of social change in explaining the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on labour markets.20 marks
  21. Q6(b)“Family is transforming from a fixed structure to a fluid process in liquid modernity.” Analyse this transition through the lenses of Bauman and contemporary family studies.20 marks
  22. Q6(c)Evaluate the impact of social media on primary and secondary group dynamics in modern society.10 marks
  23. Q7(a)How does the feminization of labor force participation challenge patriarchal structures while simultaneously creating new forms of gender-based exploitation? Discuss with empirical examples.20 marks
  24. Q7(b)Discuss the sociological implications of artificial intelligence and automation on social stratification and mobility patterns.20 marks
  25. Q7(c)Evaluate the impact of the information revolution on social change in developing societies.10 marks
  26. Q8(a)Analyze how environmental movements represent a new form of collective action that transcends traditional class-based politics. What are the implications for theories of social movements?20 marks
  27. Q8(b)Assess the claim that digital surveillance capitalism represents a new phase of commodification of social life.20 marks
  28. Q8(c)Distinguish between 'ascribed' and 'achieved' status with examples from contemporary Indian society.10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 163 words written

Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words : Critically evaluate dependency theory in explaining persistent under-development.

Opening · a definition

Dependency theory was given by AG Frank and improved upon by Immanuel Wallerstein.

Dependency Theory Persistent under development

Body · points and prose

LLITES (Metropolis benefits from cheap labour of satellites and natural resources)

Persistent under development

  1. Replication of historical patterns Eg: Colonised countries poor because of exploitative relations. Eg:- South Africa and mining corporations of USA and France.

  2. Global order benefits metropolis. Eg: IMF, WTO etc. require open markets for satellites, but

not open labour markets - UK and US xenophobia towards migrants.

  1. Exploitation via neo-imperialism - Eg: France in sahel region in Africa.

  2. Development of metropolis on the backs of satellites. Eg: Atlantic slave trade, Plantations etc.

  3. Lack of technology transfer to under- developed countries. Eg: for climate transition, etc.

Critique 1. FDI is beneficial for economies and causes development.

  1. Does not explain underdevelopment in non-colonised nations.

  2. Lets go of idea of corrupt institution in

Close

countries - shifts the blame.

However, in a world of limited resources it remains imperative to note why some countries developed while some which were colonised did not.