Chapter 1 Disintegration of the "Second World" and the Collapse of Bipolarity

Q.1;- MENTION THREE FEATURES THAT DISTINGUISH THE SOVIET

ECONOMY FROM THAT OF COUNTRIES LIKE THAT OF USA?

OR

DISCUSS THE MAIN FEATURES OF SOVIET SYSTEM OF

GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMY.

ANS; The following three features describes that soviet economy was

basically different from U S economy;

1) The Soviet system of economy was based on planned economy .The

economy was managed on the basis of state plans for economic & social

development but in U S A means of production are mostly in private

hands & the economy of USA is controlled & guided by market forces.

2) Private property is basic element of American economy while in Soviet

economy there was no existence of private property .

3) Soviet economy is based on the principles of socialism but American

economy is based on capitalism i.e. concentration of economic power in

the hands of few & consequent exploitation of the rest.

Q2;- WHAT WERE THE FACTORS THAT FORCED GORBACHEV TO

INITIATE THE REFORMS IN USSR?

ANS;-Mikhail Gorbachev (last president of USSR) who had become

general secretary of the communist party of the Soviet Union in1985,

sought to reform the political & economic system of soviet union. The

following factors forced Gorbachev to initiate reforms in USSR.

1) Economy of USSR was not sound, though wages continued to grow,

productivity & technology fell considerably behind that of the west.

2) The Soviet system was very bureaucratic, authoritarian & citizens were

not very happy with the political system. .

3) Communist party, the government & other institutions were not

accountable to the people.

4) The USSR lagged behind the west in technology & infrastructure.

5) Russia was dominating every aspect of life & people from other regions

felt neglected & often suppressed.

6] Finally the soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 A.D unaligned (

weakened) USSR economically as well as politically.

Q3; WHAT WERE THE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES OF THE DIS-

INTEGRATION OF THE SOVIET UNION FOR COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA?

ANS; Collapse of Soviet Union had profound consequence for world politics

. Main consequences of Dis-integration of Soviet Union are as under;

1) Its major consequence was the end of cold war. It ended the atmosphere

of fear, terror, insecurity & apprehension of outbreak of nuclear war.

2) Collapse of USSR led to end of bi-polarity & emergence of uni-polarity.

3) It also led to the end of arms race & encouraged Dis-armament.

4) Collapse of USSR established the superiority of capitalist system & open

market over socialist system.

5) Collapse of USSR means emergence of new independent countries. All

the 15 union republics of USSR have become independent states. Some

of them especially the Baltic & East European states wanted to join the

European Union & NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The central

Asian republics were interested taking advantage of their geographical

location & thus these countries wanted close relations with Russia, USA,

China & others. Thus international system saw the emergence of many

new players (states) with their own identity.

Q4;-WHAT WAS SHOCK THERAPY? WAS THIS THE BEST WAY TO

MAKE A TRANSITION FROM COMMUNISM TO CAPITALISM?

(OR)

WHAT IS SHOCK THERAPY? ASSES ITS CONSEQUENCES ON POST

COMMUNIST REGIMES?

ANS;; With the collapse of soviet union there was collapse of communism .

It was followed by a painful process of transition from an authoritarian

socialist system to a democratic capitalist system, the model of transition in

Russia, central Asia & East Europe that was influenced by the World Bank

& International Monetary fund came to be known as shock therapy .Shock

therapy varied in intensity & speed amongst the former communist

countries but its direction & features were quite similar. Each of these

countries were required to make a total shift to a capitalist economy which

meant rooting out completely any structures evolved during the soviet

period. In simple words these countries were required to follow economic &

political system of western (capitalist) countries. The western capitalist

states now become their leaders, thus guided & controlled the development

of the region through various agencies & organizations.

Q. WAS THIS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A TRANSITION FROM

COMMUNISM TO CAPITALISM?

This was not a best way to make a transition from communism to

capitalism. It did not lead the people into the promised utopia of mass

consumption. It brought ruin to the economies & disaster upon the people

of the entire region. In Russia, the large scale controlled industrial complex

almost collapsed. The valuable industries were undervalued & sold at

throwaway prices .The value of Russian currency (RUBBLE) declined

dramatically. The rate of inflation was so high that the people lost all their

savings. Prices were very high & it was beyond the capacity of masses.

Almost all these countries faced the problems of poverty, un-employment &

miserable conditions. The constitutions of these countries were drafted in a

hurry & the presidents (executives) were given extra ordinary powers. In

majority of these countries judiciary was not independent to protect the

rights & liberties of the citizens.

Q5; WRITE AN ESSAY FOR OR AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

PROPOSITION “With the Dis-integration of USSR India should change

its foreign policy & focus more on friendship with the US rather than

with friends like Russia?

ANS;-After the collapse of USSR (2nd world, or soviet union) many

scholars are of the view that India should change its foreign policy & focus

more on friendship with the US rather than with Russia.

Arguments in favour of Indians friendship with USA rather than with

Russia;;

1) India & USA are two biggest democratic countries of the world . Both

share a love for Human rights, liberty, equality, justice & peace.

2) When China attacked India on 20th Oct 1962 it was America which

helped India by Supplying latest arms.

3) India has set up Tarapur atomic power plant with the help of USA.

4) Both have firm faith in the notion of world peace & they stand against

terrorism. 

5) US had agreed to the nuclear deal with India because both sides stood to benefit from it.

Arguments against Indians friendship with USA rather than with

Russia;;

1) In the UN, USA fully supported Pakistan, USAs attitude on Kashmir was

not in favour of India.

2) America supported Pakistan on Bangladesh issue as against the wills &

wishes of India, sends its 7th fleet in the Bay of Bengal to pressurize India.

3) When India conducted 5 nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998 A.D.

American President ordered tough sanctions against India in retaliation for

its underground nuclear tests.

4) America is constantly pressing India to sign NPT & CTBT but India is not

ready to sign these treaties.

CONCLUSION:-to conclude we can say that India should have close &

friendly relations with U.S.A but not at the cost of Russia, because Russia

has always helped India during the hours of need.

Q.6:-WRITE A SHORT NOTE ON INDO SOVIET TREATY OF 1971?

ANS:- The indo soviet treaty known as treaty of peace, friendship & co-

operation was signed by India & USSR on 9th August 1971 at Moscow for

twenty years this treaty was the first political treaty concluded by India with

one of the superpowers. The treaty contains articles:-

1) Both the countries are desirous for maintaining & developing the present

mutual friendly relations.

2) Both the countries believe that mutual friendship & co-operation will be in

the interest of Asia & world peace, apart from the mutual benefit of both the

countries.

3) Faith in the peaceful consistence & co-operation.

4) Solution of international problems through negotiations.

Q.7:- MENTION MAIN REASONS FOR THE COLLAPSE OF THE

SOVIET UNION?

ANS;

(1) DEFECTIVE LEADERSHIP:-Defective leadership was mainly

responsible for the disintegration of USSR.

2) LIBERAL POLICY OF GORBACHEV:-Due to liberal policy of

Gorbachev anti-Soviet union forces became bold & they increased their

strength.

3) Corrupt bureaucracy;-there was rampant corruption & the political

elites did not try to rectify their mistakes by allowing openness in the

government; & decentralization of authority on a vast land. To make

matters worse, the bureaucratic privileges made the people feel isolated

from the common mainstream.

4) One Party rule;- one party rule was one more reason for the collapse of

soviet union, as the communist party of soviet union (CPSU) ruled for 73

years with unaccountability people felt alienated by the stifling

administration. People were unable to correlate with the rulers & the

prevailing system.

5) Imposition of Russian language & currency on non-

Russians;-the currency & language of Russia were imposed on non-

Russian states which irritated people outside Russia it become one of the

reason for collapse of USSR. Russia was dominating every aspect of life &

people from other regions felt neglected & often suppressed.

6) USSRS invasion of Afghanistan in 1979;- Finally the soviet

invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 A.D unaligned (weakened) USSR

economically as well as politically.

Q.8:-WHAT IS MEANT BY UNIPOLARITY & BIPOLARITY?

ANS:-1} Unipolarity means dominance of one major power in the world.

Disintegration of USSR changed the world into Unipolarity.

2} Bi-polarity:-Bi-polarity means dominance of two major powers in the

world .Before the disintegration of USSR the world was bipolar (USA&

USSR) but after the disintegration of USSR the world became uni-polar.

Q.9:-WRITE A SHORT NOTE ON POST COLD WAR RELATIONS

BETWEEN INDIA & USA?

ANS;; After the end of cold war there occurred significant changes in Indo

US relations . Both the countries realized the importance of each other

they have increased co-operation in various spheres of bilateral relations,

economic, political, technological & military. The economic & political

potential of India has changed the shape of Indians economic & defense

relations with America. But after the nuclear test in 1998 USA imposed

sanctions over India. But after kargil war of 1999 USA recognized the

necessity of India having threat from neighbours. Now USA looks India as

the potential part of global surveillance that USA wants to build against

terrorism.

Q10) DISCUSS THE NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RUSSIA &

INDIA?

ANS; Dis-integration of USSR made Russia as the legal successor of

Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin (first President of Russia) assured the Indian

Prime Minister P V Narsimha Rao that Russia will continue its relationship & cooperation

with India. In early 1992 India & Russia took first firm step to rebuilt

economic relations. Russia also decided to supply another 3 million tons of

oil to India in 1993. Russian President Boris Yeltsin visited India in Jan.

1993 & announced that Russia would support India in United Nations

Security council (UNSC) on the Kashmir issue. In 1994 Indian P.M P V

Narsimha Rao visited Russia & signed two significant declarations & nine

agreements with Russia. In the same year Russian P.M visited India &

signed eight agreements such as defense, technology & space exploration.

On 21st June 1996, India & Russia signed an accord for construction of two

1000MW light water nuclear reactors at kudan kulam in Tamil Nadu. On 15

April 2000 Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India and ratified

extradition treaty with India aimed at curbing terrorism. On 29 June 2000

India and Russia signed a number of agreements on defense. Indian P.M A

.B Vajpayee visited Russia in Nov. 2001 & signed a declaration on

international terrorism & declared that to combat terrorism is the task of

world community. On 20th Jan. 2004 India & Russia signed the historical

defense deal worth Rs 7000, Crores. During Vladimir Putins visit to India in

2004 ten agreements were signed by both the countries. During this visit

Russia supported Indias candidature for a permanent seat in UNSC &

during this visit India & Russia identified three key areas nuclear energy,

defense, trade & industry for cooperation & to give them special attention.

In Dec. 2008 Indias P.M M.M Singh & Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

signed an agreement that Russia will help India in setting up four additional

nuclear plants at kudan kulam. India and Russia signed comprehensive

civil nuclear pact during Man- Mohan Singhs visit to Russia in Dec 2009.In

Dec.2011P.M of India Dr. M M Singh visited Moscow & confirmed that India

& Russia had concluded negotiations & agreed on terms & conditions for

Russian credit for unit 3rd & 4th of the kudan kulam project. On 24 Dec 2012

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to India . on 24 Dec 2015

indias pm Narinder modi visited Russia and hold talks related to defense

and nuclear energy with his Russian counterpart Vladimir putin .

The indo-Russian strategic partnership has been built on five major

components .These are political, defense, civil nuclear energy ,counter

terrorism co-operation and space .However in recent years a sixth

component “Economic” has grown in importance setting a target for $20

billion in bilateral trade by 2015 .Bilateral trade between both the countries

in 2012 grew by 30%.The powerful IRIGC {Indo-Russian intergovernmental

commission }is the main body that conducts affairs at the governmental

level between both countries .Both are members of UN/BRICS/,G20 &

 [SCO were India has observer status]

To conclude we can say India and Russia have friendly relations since

long time.

Q11; WHAT WERE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DIS-INTEGRATION OF

USSR?

OR

WHAT WERE THE EFFECTS OF COLLAPSE OF USSR?

ANS; Effects of collapse of USSR were

(1) End of cold war;- The major effect of the collapse of the soviet union

was the end of the cold war. The ideological rivalry between communism

and capitalism came to an end.

(2) End of bi-polarity& emergence of uni-polarity;- The second major

effect of the collapse of Soviet Union was the end of bi-polarity &

emergence of unipolarity as USSR was succeeded by Russia which is too 

weak to compete with USA.

(3) End of arms race;- The disintegration of USSR ended the atmosphere

of fear, tension & mistrust between the two rival cold war blocs, thus ended

armament race and encouraged disarmament .

(4) Superiority of democracy & capitalist system;- The collapse of 2nd

world led to the end of communist ideology which paved the way for the

superiority of democracy and capitalism.

(5) Emergence of new states;- The collapse of Soviet bloc led to the

emergence of many new states especially the Baltic, East European,

Balkan & Central Asian states with their own autonomous choices &

aspirations.

Q.12;- ASSES THE NEW WORLD WHICH EMERRGED AFTER THE

COLLAPSE OF USSR?

OR

WHAT IS UNI-POLAR WORLD?

ANS;- Collapse of soviet union is the main cause for the emergence of

unipolar world. With the collapse of USSR Communist block also ended &

new political and economic system emerged in these countries. The

system of bipolarity ended. Thus with the victory over Iraq and the

disintegration of USSR the United States has appeared as the only super

power on the international stage giving birth to unipolar world.

Q.13:- EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING IN FEW SENTENCES:

{1} BALKAN STATES

{2} CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES

{3} BALTIC STATES.

ANS:- {1}Balkan states:- are those states which are bordered by Balkan

Peninsula in Eastern Europe. These are as: Albania, Bosnia, Croatia,

Herzegovina, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia .

{2}Central Asian countries:- Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan,

Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, & Tajikistan.

{3} Baltic States;- are those states which are very closed & share their

borders with Baltic sea, these are the Eastern most states of Europe.

These are as Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.