Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity The answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse throughout different chapters Assam Board HS Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity and select needs one.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity

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Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board HS Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity Solutions for All Subjects, You can practice these here…

LONG ANSWE

Q.1. Briefly discuss about the conditions of Soviet Union after the Second World War ?

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 modelled 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 then 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.

Q.2. Why the people of Soviet Union were not satisfied with the Soviet System?Give four reasons.

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.

Q.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.

Q.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,Belorus, 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.

Q.5. Do you think that India and Russia have maintained good relations. Give four reasons.

Ans : India’s relations with Russia are an important aspect of its foreign policy. She had vary 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 reason 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 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 Bachchan are popular named in every household Frequent sports and cultural terms exchanges visits in each other’s nation.

Q.6. What is the significance of Russia revolution in 1917 ?

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.

Q.7. Examine the features of Gorbachev reform policies ?

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 democratisation of the country.

Q.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.

Q.9. What were the factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reform in the USSR ?

Ans : Same as Ans of Q.No.2 (Very Long Answer)

Q.10. Make a list of the similarities between India and the USSR in the political and economic ideologies ?

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.

Q.11. Write a note on the Soviet System ?

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 centralised 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.

Q.12. Why did Gorbachev’s reform policy fail ?

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 vey difficult.

(ii) The Soviet Union fagged behind the west in technology, infrastructure like transport, power and most importantly fulfilling the political and economic aspirations of citizens.

Q.13. Discuss Indians relations with the communist countries ?

Ans : Both Soviet Union and India shared a cordial relationship during the cold war era. The multi_dimensional 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.

Q.14. How did the end of Soviet bloc lead to emergence of many new countries ?

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 Bclarus. 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

Q.1. Why did the Soviet Union disintegrate ?              

Ans : The following points are analysed 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 decentralisation 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.

Q.2. What were the factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR ?

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) Realisation that the socialist economy was not better than the capitalist economy.

(c) The Soviet Union had become stagnant administratively and politically.

Q.3. What is shock Therapy ? What were the consequences of Shock Therapy in post communist region ? Was it the best way for a transition from Communism to capitalism ?

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 ownership was to be the dominant pattern of the ownership of the 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 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 break up 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.

Q.5. Describe the relation between India and Russia.

Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No.5. (Long Answer)

Q.6. Mention the features that distinguish the Soviet economy from that of a  capitalist country such as US ?

Ans : Same as Ans of Q. No.1 (Very Long Answer)

Q.7. Mention the drawbacks of the Soviet System ?

Ans : Same as Ans of Q.No.2 (Long Answer)

Q.8. What were the major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India ?

Ans : India’s relations with Russia are an important aspect of its foreign policy. She had vary 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 y. 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 uniocular 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.

Q.9. What is Shock Therapy ? What were the consequences of Shock Therapy in post communist region ? Was it the best way for a transition from Communism to capitalism ?

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 break up 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 organisations. 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.

Dev Kirtonia

Hi, I’m Dev Kirtonia, Founder & CEO of Dev Library. A website that provides all SCERT, NCERT 3 to 12, and BA, B.com, B.Sc, and Computer Science with Post Graduate Notes & Suggestions, Novel, eBooks, Biography, Quotes, Study Materials, and more.