The End of Bipolarity
Contemporary World Politics • NCERT Solutions • Chapter 1
Objective Type Questions
1. Which among the following statements that describe the nature of Soviet economy is wrong?
Answer: (c) People enjoyed economic freedom.
Reason: In the Soviet system, the state controlled all means of production, and there was no private property or free market, meaning citizens lacked economic freedom.
Reason: In the Soviet system, the state controlled all means of production, and there was no private property or free market, meaning citizens lacked economic freedom.
2. Arrange the following in chronological order:
Correct Order:
- (d) Russian Revolution (1917)
- (a) Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979)
- (b) Fall of the Berlin Wall (November 1989)
- (c) Disintegration of the Soviet Union (December 1991)
3. Which among the following is NOT an outcome of the disintegration of the USSR?
Answer: (d) Crises in the Middle East.
Reason: While the disintegration changed global power dynamics (a, c) and led to the CIS (b), the crises in the Middle East were distinct regional conflicts not directly caused by the USSR’s collapse.
Reason: While the disintegration changed global power dynamics (a, c) and led to the CIS (b), the crises in the Middle East were distinct regional conflicts not directly caused by the USSR’s collapse.
4. Match the following:
| Item | Match |
|---|---|
| (i) Mikhail Gorbachev | (c) Introduced reforms |
| (ii) Shock Therapy | (d) Economic model |
| (iii) Russia | (a) Successor of USSR |
| (iv) Boris Yeltsin | (e) President of Russia |
| (v) Warsaw | (b) Military pact |
5. Fill in the blanks.
a. The Soviet political system was based on Socialist ideology.
b. Warsaw Pact was the military alliance started by the USSR.
c. Communist party dominated the Soviet Union’s political system.
d. Mikhail Gorbachev initiated the reforms in the USSR in 1985.
e. The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolised the end of the Cold War.
b. Warsaw Pact was the military alliance started by the USSR.
c. Communist party dominated the Soviet Union’s political system.
d. Mikhail Gorbachev initiated the reforms in the USSR in 1985.
e. The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolised the end of the Cold War.
Short Answer Questions
6. Mention any three features that distinguish the Soviet economy from that of a capitalist country like the US.
- State Ownership: In the Soviet economy, the state owned and controlled all factors of production (land, assets), whereas in the US, private ownership is dominant.
- Central Planning: The Soviet economy was planned and controlled by the state (production, prices, distribution), unlike the US economy which is driven by market forces (demand and supply).
- Absence of Private Property: The institution of private property was abolished in the USSR, while it is a fundamental right and economic driver in the US.
7. What were the factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR?
Gorbachev initiated reforms (Perestroika and Glasnost) due to:
- Economic Stagnation: The Soviet economy had been stagnant for decades, leading to shortages of consumer goods and a lack of technological advancement compared to the West.
- Technological Gap: The USSR lagged significantly behind the West in information and technology.
- Administrative Burden: The bureaucracy was inefficient, corrupt, and unaccountable, alienating the common people.
- Cost of Military: Maintaining a massive military arsenal and satellite states in Eastern Europe drained the economy.
- Political Aspirations: Citizens were becoming aware of the better standard of living in the West and demanded political freedom and democracy.
8. What were the major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India?
The consequences for India were significant:
- Loss of a Superpower Ally: India lost its most reliable strategic partner, forcing a re-evaluation of its foreign policy.
- Shift to Multi-alignment: India had to build closer ties with the USA and other Western nations, moving away from its pro-Soviet tilt.
- Economic Reforms: The collapse of the socialist model indirectly encouraged India to liberalize its own economy in 1991.
- Defense Supplies: While Russia remained a key supplier, the fragmentation of the Soviet military-industrial complex caused temporary disruptions in defense procurement.
Long Answer & Essay Questions
9. What was Shock Therapy? Was this the best way to make a transition from communism to capitalism?
Shock Therapy refers to the rapid and abrupt transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system in Russia, Central Asia, and East Europe, influenced by the World Bank and IMF. It involved total privatization of state assets, sudden removal of price controls, and free trade.
Critique: No, it was arguably not the best way to transition.
Critique: No, it was arguably not the best way to transition.
- Economic Collapse: It led to the collapse of state-controlled industries. The “largest garage sale in history” saw valuable industries sold for peanuts to private individuals (oligarchs).
- Currency Crisis: The Russian currency (Ruble) declined dramatically, and high inflation wiped out people’s savings.
- Social Distress: The dismantling of the social welfare system pushed large sections of the population into poverty. A gradual transition (like China’s) might have preserved stability and prevented such drastic human costs.
10. Essay: “With the disintegration of the second world, India should change its foreign policy and focus more on friendship with the US rather than with traditional friends like Russia”.
Argument: Strategic Balance is Key
The disintegration of the Second World (Soviet Bloc) undeniably changed the global order, leaving the US as the sole superpower. While engaging with the US is crucial for India’s economic growth and technology access, abandoning traditional friends like Russia would be unwise.
Why engage the US? The US is a vital partner for trade, investment, and counter-terrorism. Closer ties help India balance China’s rise in Asia.
Why keep Russia? Russia remains a time-tested ally. It is a major supplier of defense equipment (S-400 systems), nuclear energy technology, and space cooperation. Abandoning Russia pushes it closer to China and Pakistan, which hurts India’s security interests.
Conclusion: India’s foreign policy should not be “either/or.” It should be based on multi-alignment—building strong ties with the US for future growth while maintaining the strategic partnership with Russia for defense and energy security. A balanced approach serves India’s national interest best in a multipolar world.
The disintegration of the Second World (Soviet Bloc) undeniably changed the global order, leaving the US as the sole superpower. While engaging with the US is crucial for India’s economic growth and technology access, abandoning traditional friends like Russia would be unwise.
Why engage the US? The US is a vital partner for trade, investment, and counter-terrorism. Closer ties help India balance China’s rise in Asia.
Why keep Russia? Russia remains a time-tested ally. It is a major supplier of defense equipment (S-400 systems), nuclear energy technology, and space cooperation. Abandoning Russia pushes it closer to China and Pakistan, which hurts India’s security interests.
Conclusion: India’s foreign policy should not be “either/or.” It should be based on multi-alignment—building strong ties with the US for future growth while maintaining the strategic partnership with Russia for defense and energy security. A balanced approach serves India’s national interest best in a multipolar world.