Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
UPSC examines the complexities of foreign policy, the challenges of dealing with non-state actors or unrecognised governments, and the ethical dilemmas in international diplomacy. This concept highlights the tension between realpolitik and normative foreign policy.
In international relations, a de facto regime refers to a government or authority that exercises effective control over a territory and its population, but lacks formal international recognition. States often face a dilemma of whether and how to engage with such entities, balancing pragmatic needs (e.g., security, migration, humanitarian aid) with normative principles (e.g., human rights, democratic legitimacy, non-recognition).