Contemporary World Politics

Step 1: Understanding Hybrid Regimes.
- Hybrid regimes often suffer from weak political culture, government control over opposition, and weak civil society and rule of law. These features hinder the functioning of a truly democratic government.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (A) Correct. Weaknesses in political culture and governance are common in hybrid regimes.
- (B) Correct. Governments in hybrid regimes often suppress opposition parties and candidates.
- (C) Correct. Civil society and rule of law are usually underdeveloped in hybrid regimes.
- (D) Incorrect. Hybrid regimes often do not fully respect constitutional restraints once in power.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is (A) A, B, and C only.

Step 1: Understanding the Energy Conservation Act.
The Energy Conservation Act was enacted in India in 2001. However, the Energy Conservation Act of 2005 focused on the creation of an institutional framework for promoting energy efficiency in the country. The act gave a push to energy conservation in various sectors.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (1) 2004: Incorrect. The act was passed in 2001 but its provisions began being implemented in 2005.
- (2) 2001: Incorrect. While the Act was created in 2001, it took until 2005 for full implementation.
- (3) 2005: Correct. The Energy Conservation Act became operational in 2005.
- (4) 2010: Incorrect, as this was not when the Act was passed or implemented.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (3) 2005.

Step 1: Understanding the Rational-Choice approach.
The Rational-Choice approach in comparative politics focuses on understanding political behavior by analyzing the interests, preferences, and strategies of individuals or actors. It assumes that political actors make decisions that maximize their personal benefits or utilities.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (1) The Interpretive approach: This approach focuses on understanding the meaning and context of political actions rather than the interests of actors.
- (2) The Structural approach: This approach focuses on the structure of political systems, not on the interests of individual actors.
- (3) The Institutional approach: This approach looks at the role of institutions in shaping political outcomes, rather than focusing on individual interests.
- (4) The Rational-Choice approach: This is correct. It centers on the interests and actions of political actors, analyzing how they make decisions to maximize their personal interests.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (4) The Rational-Choice approach.

Step 1: Understanding the Gaia Hypothesis.
The Gaia Hypothesis, developed by James Lovelock, proposes that the Earth and its biological systems behave as a self-regulating system. This hypothesis suggests that life on Earth influences the environment in ways that maintain conditions suitable for life.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (1) James Lovelock: This is the correct answer. Lovelock developed the Gaia Hypothesis, which suggests that Earth is a self-regulating system.
- (2) Ernst Friedrich Schumacher: Schumacher focused on sustainable development and economics but did not develop the Gaia Hypothesis.
- (3) Murray Bookchin: Bookchin was a social theorist focused on ecology and anarchism, not the Gaia Hypothesis.
- (4) Rudolph Bahro: Bahro was a theorist on ecology but not the developer of the Gaia Hypothesis.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (1) James Lovelock.

Step 1: Understanding Political Participation.
- Conventional participation involves activities like voting in elections (III).
- Less conventional participation involves actions like signing petitions (I).
- Illegal participation includes political violence, including terrorism and assassination (II).
- Public opinion as a form of participation includes public concerns by affected communities (IV).
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct match is (A) A - III, B - I, C - II, D - IV.