CSS 2025 Solved Precis

• Nationalism (Noun): Loyalty and devotion to one’s nation
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to the core concept of national identity discussed in the passage
• Humanism (Noun): Belief in human dignity, reason, and universal values
  • Contextual Explanation: Represents the philosophical contrast to rigid or exclusive nationalism
• Provincialism (Noun): Narrow-minded focus on local or regional interests
  • Contextual Explanation: Criticized as a limiting feature of extreme nationalism
• Exclusionary (Adjective): Tending to exclude others
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes the rigid boundaries nationalism can create around identity
• Particularism (Noun): Emphasis on specific, local interests over universal concerns
  • Contextual Explanation: Al-Ghazali warns against excessive focus on local identity at the cost of justice.
• Xenophobia (Noun): Fear or hatred of foreigners
  • Contextual Explanation: Seen as a dangerous offshoot of aggressive nationalism
• Egalitarian (Adjective): Based on the belief in equal rights and opportunities
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes efforts by modern nations to align with equality-based ideals
• Facade (Noun): A false or deceptive appearance
  • Contextual Explanation: Used to describe democracy as a superficial cover for imperialism
• Myopia (Noun): Short-sightedness or narrow vision
  • Contextual Explanation: Symbolizes the inability of extreme nationalists to see broader consequences
• Hegemony (Noun): Dominant control or influence by one group over others
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to dictatorial or imperial power masked by nationalism or democracy
• Volksgeist (Noun – German): The spirit or character of a nation
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes the cultural force behind nationalism, which can unify or divide
• Frugal (Adjective): Moderate, sparing, or restrained
  • Contextual Explanation: Suggests a cautious approach to practicing nationalism
• Subversive (Adjective): Seeking to undermine or overthrow an established system or belief
  • Contextual Explanation: Implied in references to thinkers like Socrates and Al-Ghazali, whose ideas challenged dominant nationalist ideologies
• Antidote (Noun): A remedy that counteracts or neutralizes harmful effects of a toxin or poison
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes Al-Ghazali’s inclusive vision as a cure to exclusivist nationalism
• Bravado (Noun): A bold manner or show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate
  • Contextual Explanation: Used to describe the aggressive posture of powerful nations over weaker ones under the guise of nationalism
• Positing (Verb): Putting forward an idea or theory
  • Contextual Explanation: Refers to how philosophers present their views on identity, justice, and nationalism
• Obscure (Verb): To hide from view
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes how nationalism can blur or hide the true origins of national identity
• Alchemy (Noun): A magical transformation; originally medieval chemistry
  • Contextual Explanation: Symbolically used to describe how diverse elements come together to form a nation
• Disillusion (Noun): A feeling of disappointment from discovering something is not as good as believed
  • Contextual Explanation: Reflects the realization that nationalism may not always deliver freedom or justice
• Stifles (Verb): Restrains or suppresses
  • Contextual Explanation: Describes how extreme nationalism suppresses free thinking and dissent
• Incarcerating (Verb): Imprisoning or confining
  • Contextual Explanation: Used metaphorically to describe how nationalism can imprison people within narrow identities
• Universalism (Noun): Belief in universal values that apply to all humans
  • Contextual Explanation: Opposes particularism; emphasized by thinkers who advocate for global justice and ethics

The passage discusses nationalism: its origins, philosophical underpinnings, interplay with humanism, and its dual impact (both positive and negative) on societies. The purpose of the passage is to critically analyze nationalism, showing how it is constructed, how it can become rigid and exclusionary, and how it should be tempered with humanism and universal values to avoid destructive consequences. Moreover, in this passage, the author is not merely describing nationalism but evaluating it by presenting both its constructive and destructive aspects, while arguing for a balanced, humanistic form of nationalism.

Main Idea of the Passage

• Nationalism, though a powerful and adaptive force, becomes dangerous when rigid and exclusionary, and thus must be balanced with universal humanism, justice, and inclusive citizenship.

Supporting Ideas Helping the Main Idea

• To Bhabha, nations are imagined constructs shaped by myth, contingency, and identity.
• Nationalism often becomes rigid, undermining humanism.
• Philosophers like Al Ghazali emphasized universality, compassion, and justice, offering inclusivity against narrow nationalism.
• Although nationalism promotes pluralism, it also brings xenophobia and violence
• Iqbal criticized democracy as a facade serving imperialism, warning against blind nationalism.
• Imperialism fostered nationalism, leaving weaker nations vulnerable.
• Nationalism, as Volksgeist, can unify or divide depending on how it is practiced.
• The solution is a nuanced nationalism balancing pride with human rights and universal values.

Confused About Main and Supporting Ideas?

Kindly make sure to revise all five lectures on Precis Writing that I have already delivered. In these sessions, we discussed in detail:

• What a precis is and its purpose.
• What the main idea means and how to extract it effectively.
• What supporting ideas are and how to identify them.
• How to coordinate the main and supporting ideas while writing a concise, coherent precis.

Additionally, go through the 20 examples I shared in the WhatsApp groups. These examples highlight the Dos and Don’ts of Precis Writing, and revising them will help you avoid common mistakes and refine your technique.

Precis 1

Homi K. Bhabha presents nationalism as a constructed story, shaped by myths and imagination, where identity is formed through historical and cultural factors. As a result, ethnic and regional attachments often make nations’ origins unclear, hardening identities and contradicting the ideals of humanism proposed by several philosophers. Indeed, Al-Ghazali, along with other thinkers, upheld reason and compassion across cultures. He particularly emphasized a balanced view, insisting on inclusive citizenship that resists provincialism. In the same spirit, Bhabha urges critical reflection on how national identities are formed and encourages a shift toward global citizenship rooted in shared humanity. However, modern nationalism often narrows worldviews, encouraging extreme patriotism that suppresses free thought and approaches xenophobia. Unfortunately, despite its ability to unite, nationalism fuels domination and violence. Furthermore, Iqbal’s critique of democracy as a disguise for imperialism resonates with the warning that weaker nations are often left with symbolic pride, not real power. Finally, the concept of Volksgeist reflects nationalism’s double edge, powerful yet dangerous. Thus, a more balanced, ethical nationalism is needed for global harmony.

• Original Words in the Passage: 617
• Precis Word Count: 173
• Title: Reimagining National Identity through Humanism

Precis 2

According to postcolonial theory, nations are imagined and constructed narratives that obscure their origins in myth and historical contingency. This process often leads to rigid, exclusionary national identities that contradict the core tenets of humanism. While some philosophers like Al Ghazali have successfully balanced local identity with universalism to advocate for inclusive citizenship, nationalism often devolves into a stringent form of patriotism that stifles dissent and fuels xenophobia. Undoubtedly, nationalism has a dual legacy, serving as both a source of positive change, such as the promotion of pluralism, and a cause of destructive conflict. The silent appeal of dominance, stemming from ideas of organic expansion, has manifested in violent acts, exposing the facade of democracy, which Iqbal once termed an imperialistic shell. All in all, nationalism's power, a potent expression of the "Volksgeist," can be either unifying or divisive. It is therefore crucial to adopt a more nuanced approach to nationalism, balancing national pride with a commitment to universal human rights and values.

• Original Words in the Passage: 617
• Precis Word Count: 163
• Title: A Postcolonial Critique of Nationalism and Humanism

Precis 3

Homi K. Bhabha explains that national identity is constructed like stories via myths, history, and affiliations. He argues that nationalism can lead to exclusion and conflict with values such as justice and reason, as emphasized by various philosophers. In this context, Al-Ghazali advocated for a patriotism with fairness toward all, cautioning against narrow and self-centred nationalism while promoting openness and equality. Yet in the modern world, nationalism frequently transforms into extreme patriotism, which stifles independent thought and fosters hostility toward outsiders. Thus, while nationalism can unite societies, it also has the potential to incite violence, leaving weaker nations to struggle for self-determination. Moreover, thinkers like Iqbal warned that democracy may mask imperialism, strengthening dictatorial nationalism and stifling creativity. In a nutshell, nationalism, as Volksgeist, can be either constructive or destructive depending on how it is applied. Hence, there is a need for a balanced, ethical nationalism rooted in fairness, universal values, and the well-being of all humanity.

• Original Words in the Passage: 617
• Precis Word Count: 157
• Title: Nationalism and Its Humanist Alternatives

Precis 4

Nationalism is a powerful yet complex idea, built on myths rather than objective origins. It can become exclusionary, contradicting the universal human values championed by philosophers. While some thinkers offer a path to balancing national pride with justice, nationalism often leads to a stern patriotism that restricts ingenuity and can become xenophobic. Not only this, nationalism's history is a double-edged sword, yielding both positive developments like pluralism and negative outcomes like violent conflict. Even democratic societies are not immune as they can use nationalism to mask imperialistic desires. Indeed, the power of a nation's spirit can either unite or divide. Therefore, a more balanced approach to nationalism is needed, one that upholds national pride while remaining committed to universal human rights and values.

• Original Words in the Passage: 617
• Precis Word Count: 123
• Title: The Paradox of Nationalism