AHSEC CLASS 12 POLITICAL
SCIENCE NOTES
Chapter 2
The End of Bipolarity
VERY
SHORT ANSWER
1. When did USSR come into being?
[DTS Notes]
Ans.:- USSR come into being in 1917.
2. When did the bipolar structure of
world politics come into an end? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The bipolar structure of world politics come to an end in 1991.
3. Who was Mikhail Gorbachev? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of Communist Party of USSR. He
initiated two economic reforms in USSR namely Perestroika and Glasnost as
economic liberalization polices.
4. Which state is the successor of
the Soviet Union? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Russia was the successor of the Soviet Union.
5. Correct the statement: Stalin
introduced reforms in the Soviet Union.
Ans.:-
Gorbachev introduced reforms in the Soviet Union.
6. Which party ruled the USSR? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
Communist Party ruled the USSR.
7. What was the final and the most
immediate cause for the disintegration of the USSR? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The final and the most immediate cause for the disintegration of the USSR was
the rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within various republics
including Russia and the Baltic Republics, Ukraine, Georgia and others.
8. Who became the sole superpower
after the disintegration of the Soviet Union? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
US became the role super power after the disintegration f the Soviet Union.
9. Write the full form of CIS? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
The full form of CIS is Commonwealth of Independent state.
10. On what ideology Soviet Union was
based? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Soviet Union was based on the ideology of socialism.
11. In which year Warsaw Pact was
disbanded? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
In 1991.
12. The Collapse of which country is
known as collapse of “Second World”? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
United States of Soviet Russia.
13. With the collapse of which
country cold war came to an end? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:- With the collapse of USSR, cold war came to an end.
14. In which year Russia took over
the USSR seat in UN? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
In 1991 Russia took over USSR seat in UN.
15. How many union republics were
there in USSR? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
There are 15 union republics in USSR.
16. Who was the founder of Bolshevik
Communist Party? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Vladimir Lenin was the founder of Bolshevik Communist Party.
17. Who was the first elected
President of Russia? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Boris Yeltsin was the first elected President of Russia.
18. What is the shock therapy? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
Shock therapy was a model of aid to Soviet Union for the economic development
helped by World Bank and IMF.
19. When Soviet Union became a great
power? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
After the 2nd world war Soviet Union become a great power.
20. Who started political and
economic reforms in USSR? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Mikhail Gorbachev started political and economic reforms in USSR.
21. On what ideology the Soviet Union
was based? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Socialist.
SHORT
ANSWER
1. What is meant by ‘second world’?
[DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The Socialist countries of Eastern Europe and the nation’s which were part of
Warsaw pact was known as second world.
2. Mention two reforms which
Gorbachev initiated in the USSR? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Two reforms which Gorbachev initiated in the USSR are:-
i) He reform the economy, catch up with the west and loosen
the administrative system.
ii) Gorbachev initiated the policies of economic and
political reform and democratization within the country.
3. Who made the declaration on the
disintegration of the USSR and When? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
In December 1991, Boris Yeltsin made the declaration on the disintegration of
the USSR.
4. Mention any two features that
distinguish the Soviet Economy from the capitalist country.
Ans.:-
Soviet economy was basically different from: - The Soviet economy was opposed
to capitalism because the essence of capitalism is the concentration of
economic power in the hands of a few and the consequent exploitation of the
rest. But American economy is based on capitalism. U.S.A. is the biggest
capitalist country in the world. Soviet economy was fully controlled by the
state. In U.S.S.R. all means of production were owned and controlled by the
state.
5. Write the names of two countries
which emerged after Soviet disintegration.
Ans.:-
Russia and Kazakhstan had emerged after Soviet disintegration.
6. What is meant by shock therapy in post-communist
regime? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The collapse of Communism is the most of second world countries was followed by
painful process of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to
democratic capitalist system.
The
modern transition in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe that was influenced
by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, came to be known as
Shock Therapy.
7. How did the power relations in
world politics change after the Soviet disintegration? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
After the collapse of the Soviet Union power relations in world politics
changed and therefore the relative influence of ideas and institutions also
changed. The end of the cold war left open only two possibilities. They are
either the remaining superpower would dominate and create a unipolar system or
different countries or group of countries could become important players in the
international system, thereby bringing in a multiplier system where no one
power could dominate.
The
USA became the sole superpower. Backed by the power and prestige of the USA,
the capitalist economy was now the dominant economic system internationally.
Institutions like the World Bank and IMF became powerful advisors to all these
countries since they gave them loans for their transition to capitalism.
Politically, the nation of liberal democracy emerged as the best way to
organize political life.
8. How did the Soviet disintegration
lead to the end of cold war confrontation? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The ideological dispute over whether the socialist system would beat the
capitalist system was not an issue anymore leading to the end of cold war
confrontation since US emerged as the role super power after the Soviet
disintegration.
9. What is the largest garbage sale
in history? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Due to shock therapy many industries were undervalued and sold to private
players. It led to sale of industries at throw away prices, for which some
analysts describe it as the “largest garbage” sale in history.
10. How did communist regime collapse
one after another? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
During the period of reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in USSR, the people
of East European countries started to protest against their own government.
They also protested against Soviet control, thus the communist regimes
collapsed one after another.
11. Mention the reasons for the
suddenly collapse of the Soviet Union? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The political and economic reforms introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev was the
foremost reason for the collapse of Soviet Union, similarly the bureaucratic
and authoritarian character of Soviet system was another reason for the
collapse of Soviet Union.
12. Write two characteristics of
Soviet political system? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Characteristics of Soviet political system are:-
i) Soviet political system was very bureaucratic as well as authoritarian
in character.
ii) Soviet system was represented by single party. Communist
party had a tight control over the administrative affairs of the country.
13. Write any two negative effects of
Shock Therapy? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Two negative effects of Shock Therapy are:-
i) Industrial sectors were down and it led to virtual
disappearance of large industries.
ii) It declined the value of Russian currency.
14. Explain the meaning of
‘Glasnost’.
Ans.:-
Glasnost means openness.
15. What do you mean by ‘Near Abroad’?
[DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
IT MEANS Russia’s right to have major influence, political or economic. In
regions which were under Soviet control, Near Abroad was a policy of Russia and
it perceived the countries of East Europe as its backyard.
16. What is the ‘Great Game’? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
The political, economic and military completion amongst Russia, China, and the
United States of America to control central Asia’s energy resources is in
effect a new great game.
17. When Berlin Wall was toppled?
[DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The Berlin Wall was toppled in 1990.
18. Examine the political
consequences of Shock Therapy? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Democratic foundation of Russia become weak and the legislative institutions
like parliament become very weak.
LONG
ANSWER
1. Briefly discuss about the
conditions of Soviet Union after the Second World War? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
After the Second World War the east European countries that control the Soviet
Army had liberated from the fascist forces came under the control of USSR. The
political and the economic systems of all these countries were modeled after
the USSR. This group of countries was called the second world block or the
‘socialist’ block under the leadership of USSR.
The
Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War. The Soviet economy
was the more developed than the rest of the world except for the US it has a
complex communications network, vast energy resources including oil, iron and
steel, machinery production and a transport sector that connected its remotest
areas with efficiency. The Soviet State ensured a minimum standard of living
for all the citizens, and the government subsidized basic necessities including
health, education, childcare and other welfare schemes. There was no
unemployment. State ownership was the dominant from the ownership: Land and
productive assets were owned and controlled by the Soviet State.
2. Why the people of Soviet Union
were not satisfied with the Soviet System? [DTS Notes] Give four reasons. (or)
Mention the drawbacks of the Soviet System? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The people of Soviet Union were not satisfied with the Soviet system. The
reason behind this dissatisfaction is given below:
i) The Soviet system became very bureaucratic and
authoritarian making life very difficult for its citizens.
ii) Lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech
stifled people who often expressed their dissent in jokes and cartoons.
iii) In the arms race, the Soviet Union managed to match the
U.S. for time to time, but at great cost.
iv) The Soviet Union lagged behind the west in technology
infrastructure like transport, power and the most importantly, in fulfilling
the political or economic aspirations of citizens.
3. Briefly discuss about the
consequences of disintegration of the USSR.
Ans.:-
The following are the two consequences:
a) Liquidation of military blocs: Cold war had triggered
massive arms race and accumulation of nuclear weapons and existence of military
blocs. The whole world almost got divided into two power blocs. But with the
disintegration of Soviet Union the military blocs were liquidated.
b) The breakdown of Soviet Union has led to end of Bipolarity
and began the era of unipolarity where USA has remained as the sole superpower.
4. Write a short note on political
systems of the newly emerged states from the Soviet Union.
Ans.:-
The Newly states of Soviet Union were weak both economically and politically.
These States like Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Lithuania, Latria and Estonia were
once part of USSR. These states had put forward their desire to go for
political transition for speeding their economic growth. When shock therapy was
executed the newly emerged countries did not step back and embraced this
process of transition. It is to be noted that the newly independent countries
were economically backward and their political and economic systems were
designed along socialistic lines where the central government had full command
over each and every sector.
5. Do you think that India and Russia
have maintained good relations? [DTS Notes] Give four reasons.
(or) Describe the relation between
India and Russia.
Ans.:-
India’s relations with Russia are an important aspect of its foreign policy.
She had very cordial relation with the former USSR and even after the
disintegration of USSR in 1991, relations between India and Russia remain one
of considerable importance to both the countries.
The
reasons behind it are:
i) The Soviet Union assisted India’s public sector companies
at a time when such assistance was difficult to get. It gave aid and technical
assistance for steel plants like Bhilai, Bokaro and machinery plants like
Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd. Etc.
ii) The Soviet Union supported India’s positions on the
Kashmir issue in the UN and during the war in Pakistan in 1971.
iii) India received most of its military hardware from the
Soviet Union at a time when few other countries were willing to part with
military technologies.
iv) Hindi films and Indian culture were popular in the Soviet
Union. People like Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachhan are popular named in every
household Frequent sports and cultural terms exchanges visits in each other’s
nation.
6. What is the significance of Russia
revolution in 1917? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The Union of Soviet socialist Republic came into being after the socialist
revolution in 1917. The Russia Revolution was inspired by ideology of
socialism. It was the largest attempt in human society to abolish the
institution of private property and to establish a society based on principle of
equality.
7. Examine the features of Gorbachev
reform policies? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Mikhail Gorbachev, the president of USSR initiated reforms. The policy of
reforms initiated by Gorbachev was known as Glasnost and perestroika. Glasnost
means openness that is to catch up with the west and loosen the administrative
system. Perestroika means re-structuring the polity that is to democratization
of the country.
8. List out in detail the areas of
consequences of Shock Therapy.
Ans.:-
The following are the consequences of Shock Therapy:
a) Free Trade:-Due to sudden
transformation in polity and economy of the Russian republics, there was also a
sudden switch over to free trade which was earlier absent in these republics.
Initially, they kept their economies isolated from the western capitalist
intervention.
b) FDI:- Foreign Direct
Investment was the another significant consequence of shock Therapy. As free
trade was envisaged the foreign investors are encouraged to invest in the
Russian Republics. This step drove to economic prosperity in the newly
transformed countries Unemployment was reduced and there was economic boon.
c) Break up of trade alliances:- The transition involved
a breakup of the existing trade alliances among the countries of the Soviet
bloc. Each state from this bloc was now directly linked to the west and not to
each other in the region as earlier.
d) Economic development:- The Shock Therapy
experienced by the communist countries for transition also ushered economic
development. Due to financial opening up of the market and economic
deregulation there was economic improvement to a considerable extent.
9. What were the factors that forced
Gorbachev to initiate the reform in the USSR? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Same as Ans. Of Q. No. 2 (Very Long Answer)
10. Make a list of the similarities
between India and the USSR in the political and economic ideologies? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
India and USSR followed democratic ideology as well as socialist pattern of
economy. However India followed a mixed economy when both public and private
players got importance.
11. Write a note on the Soviet System?
[DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The Union of Soviet socialist Republics (USSR) had been formed after the famous
Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. The Revolution was based on the ideals of
socialism and sought to establish an egalitarian society. The Bolshevik
Revolution opposed capitalism and worked for creation of a society based on the
principle of equality and abolition of private property. The Bolshevik party
had an important role in creation of such a system based on centralized planning
and state control. No other political Party or opposition was allowed to
operate. The Bolshevik control was known as the Soviet system. It was even
implemented in several East European states.
12. Why did Gorbachev’s reform policy
fail? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Gorbachev’s reform policy failed to the following reasons:
i) The Soviet system became very bureaucratic and
authoritarian which made the life of citizens very difficult.
ii) The Soviet Union fagged behind the west in technology,
infrastructure like transport, power and most importantly fulfilling the
political and economical aspirations of citizens.
13. Discuss Indians relations with
the communist countries? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
Both Soviet Union and India shared a cordial relationship during the cold war
era. The multidimensional proximity can be proved from the following points.
a) Political:-Soviet Union always
supported India in all major conflicts including the 1971 war with Pakistan
when USA had threatened to send its seventh fleet in the Indian Ocean. India
also has supported the Soviet Foreign policy in indirect ways.
b) Economic:- Soviet Union aided
India’s public sector companies like the steel plants at Bokaro, Visakhapatnam
and Bhilai and machinery plants like Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd. It even
accepted Indian currency when India was short of foreign exchange.
c) Military:- Soviet Union has been
the principal supplier of military equipment and arms to India when very few states wanted to part
with their military technology. It even launched several joint military
ventures with India.
d) Cultural:- India culture and Hindi
Films were popular in USSR. A number of Indian artists went to Soviet Union.
14. How did the end of Soviet bloc
lead to emergence of many new countries? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:- The end of Soviet bloc led to the emergence of many new countries. In December 1991, under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, Declared that the Soviet Union was disbanded USSR was disintegrated and common wealth of independent state was formed. Russia becomes the successor of Soviet Union.
VERY
LONG ANSWER
1. Why did the Soviet Union
disintegrate? [DTS Notes]
(or) Mention the features that
distinguish the Soviet economy from that of a capitalist country such as US?
[DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The following points are analyzed by experts as the prime causes responsible
for breakdown of Soviet Union.
i) Defective Leadership: -The most important cause
for the disintegration of Soviet Union lies in the defective leadership. The
leader of the party was considered to be the leader of the government and the
state or country. The leaders were busy with their luxurious lifestyle and
corruption. The poor leadership and effort to improve their rule became cause
for the disintegration of Soviet Union.
ii) Reformative policies of
Gorbachev:-
The Reformative policies of Mikhail Gorbachev were also responsible for the
disintegration of Soviet Union. He without preparing an environment of freedom,
equality, nationality, economic self dependence and unity implemented. The
policies of Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring).
iii) Economic stagnation:- The Soviet Union
maintained a huge nuclear and military arsenal which was used to develop and
maintain its satellite states in Eastern Europe and it’s Soviet Republics
particularly the five central Republics. It led to a huge burden on its economy
and resources. People of Soviet Union could not advance as rapidly as their
western adversaries.
iv) Political and Administrative
stagnation:- Soviet Union also suffered from political and
administrative stagnation. The ruling Communist party was unaccountable to the
people. There was rampant corruption and the political elites did not try to
rectify their mistakes by allowing openness in the government and
decentralization of authority on a vast land.
v) Rise of nationalism:- A major reason for
collapse of Soviet Union was the rise of nationalism and desire for sovereignty
within various Soviet Republics like Russia, Baltic Republics of Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia etc. this proved to be culminating point
in the disintegration of Soviet Union.
vi) Desire to get rid of backward
central Asian Republics:- It is ironical that during the cold war years, it was
always suggested that the nationalist urge would always be strong in Central
Asian Republics, due to their economic backwardness and ethnic and religious
difference. However, as events gained momentum nationalist urge emerged the
strongest. People of this region felt isolated and felt that they were paying
too heavy an economic price to keep depleted Central Asian Republics in Soviet
Union. This led to ultimate disintegration of Soviet Union.
2. What were the factors that forced
Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
The factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR are as
follows:
a) The Soviet economy used much of its resources in
maintaining a nuclear an military arsenal and the development of its satellite
states in Eastern Europe and within the Soviet system. This led to a huge
economic burden that the system could not cope with.
b) Realization that the socialist economy was not better than
the capitalist economy.
c) The Soviet Union had become stagnant administratively and
politically.
3. What is shock Therapy? [DTS Notes]
What were the consequences of Shock Therapy in post-communist region? [DTS
Notes] Was it the best way for a transition from Communism to capitalism? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
The collapse of communication in the countries which were members of the Soviet
bloc was followed bay process of transition from an authoritarian socialist
system to a democratic capitalist system. The model of transition in these
states that was influenced by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
come to be known as ‘Shock Therapy’. Shock Therapy varied in intensity and
speed among the former second world countries, but it’s direction and features
were quite similar. Each of these countries was required to make a total shift
to a capitalist economy which means rooting out completely any structure
evolved during the communist regime. It meant that private property. State
assets were to be privatized and collective forms were to be replaced by
private farming and capitalism in agriculture.
Shock
Therapy also involved a drastic change in the external orientation of these
economies. A sudden and complete switch to free trade was considered essential
and free trade regime and Foreign Direct investment were to be the main engines
of change. This involved openness to foreign investment, financial opening and
currency convertibility.
Lastly,
the transition also involved a breakup of the existing trade pacts among the
countries of Soviet bloc. Each State from this bloc was now directly linked to
the west and not to each other in the bloc. Thus, the capitalist States of the
west now became the leaders and guided and controlled the development of the
region through various agencies and organization. In the end, it can be said
that this was not the best way to make a transition from Communism to
Capitalism. Generally it brought ruin to the economics and disaster for the
people living in this part of the world.
4. What were the major consequences
of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India? [DTS Notes]
Ans.:-
India’s relations with Russia are an important aspect of its foreign policy.
She had very cordial relations with the former U.S.S.R. and even after the
disintegration of U.S.S.R, in 1991, relations between India and Russia remain
one of the considerable importance to both the country. The decay of the second
world of East Soviet Union and the socialist methods in Eastern Europe had
profound consequences for world political systems.
The
important consequences or after mates of the disintegration of the Soviet Union
for the countries like India…..
a) The end of the cold war left open only two factors _
either the remaining super powers would dominate and create a funicular system,
or different countries or group of countries could become significant players
in the international level.
b) The important end of Soviet Bloc means the growth of many
new countries. Hence, all these countries had their own independent choices.
c) The international system saw different players growth,
each with its own interest, importance, identity and political and economic
problems.
d) It meant the end of cold war conflicts. The ideological
problem over whether the socialist methods would beat the capitalist system was
not an issue anymore.
e) Power communications in World political scenario changed
Hence, the relative influence or effects of ideas and institutions also
changed.
5. What is Shock Therapy? [DTS Notes]
What were the consequences of Shock Therapy in post-communist region? [DTS
Notes] Was it the best way for a transition from Communism to capitalism? [DTS
Notes]
Ans.:-
The collapse of Communication in the countries which were members of the Soviet
bloc was followed bay process of transition from an authoritarian socialist
system to a democratic capitalist system. The model of transition in these
states that was influenced by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
come to be known as ‘Shock Therapy’. Shock Therapy varied in intensity and
speed among the former second world countries, but its direction and features
were quite similar. Each of these countries was required to make a total shift
to a capitalist economy which means rooting out completely any structure evolved
during the communist regime. It meant that private ownership was to be dominant
pattern of the ownership of private property. State assets were to be
privatized and collective forms were to be replaced by private farming and
capitalism in agriculture.
Shock
Therapy also involved a drastic change in the external orientation of these
economies. A sudden and complete switch to free trade was considered essential
and free trade regime and Foreign Direct Investment were to be the main engines
of change. This involved openness to foreign investment, financial opening and
currency convertibility. Lastly, the transition also involved a breakup of the
existing trade pacts among the countries of the Soviet bloc. Each state from
this bloc was now directly linked to the west and not to each other in the
bloc.
Thus,
the capitalist States of the west now became the leaders and guided and
controlled the development of the region through various agencies and
organizations. In the end, it can be said that this was not the best way to
make a transition from Communism to capitalism. Generally, it brought ruin to
the economics and disaster for the people living in this part of the world.