UPSC Mains 2024 GS4 Q2a: model answer
“It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it.” In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today’s international arena to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts?
What the question wants
Ethical duties of powerful nations to end wars driven partly by arms trade.
How to structure it
Intro: quote (Eleanor Roosevelt) and current wars. Body: (1) the problem of arms interests; (2) ethical considerations: value of life, responsibility of power, consistency, just war limits; (3) practical actions. Conclusion: peace needs action, not speeches.
- 1(1) the problem of arms interests
- 2(2) ethical considerations: value of life, responsibility of power, consistency, just war limits
- 3(3) practical actions
Model answer
The words of Eleanor Roosevelt stress that peace is a practice, not a slogan. Wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan continue while global military spending crossed about $2.4 trillion in 2023 (SIPRI).
The problem: arms exports bring profit and influence, so conflicts are prolonged rather than resolved.
Ethical considerations
- Sanctity of life: civilian deaths cannot be a by-product of business.
- Responsibility of power: permanent members of the UN Security Council carry a special duty for peace, as the Charter intends.
- Consistency: no double standards on human rights in different wars.
- Means and ends: Gandhian view that peace cannot come through endless violence.
- Justice to future generations: war destroys climate, food and health systems.
Actions: honour the Arms Trade Treaty, stop supplies where war crimes are likely, back ceasefires and mediation, and fund rebuilding.
As India says, 'this is not an era of war'; powerful nations must act like it.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
Arms Trade Treaty SIPRI responsibility to protect double standards not an era of war
Where most answers lose marks
- Blaming only one country.
Fresh examples from current affairs
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19 Oct 2026Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP_CSM_2024_GenStud_IV_03102024.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.