Class | Subject | Book | Chapter | Session | Questions covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XII | Political Science | Contemporary World Politics (NCERT) | 1 – The End of Bipolarity | 2026-27 | 10 of 10 |
Chapter at a glance
Topic | Key point |
|---|---|
Berlin Wall | Built 1961, fell in 1989: symbol of the end of the Cold War and German unification (1990) |
Soviet system | Socialist ideology, one-party (Communist Party) rule, state ownership and planned economy |
Weaknesses | Bureaucratic, authoritarian, stagnant economy, huge military spending, no freedom of speech |
Gorbachev’s reforms | From 1985: perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) |
Disintegration | Dec 1991: Russia, Ukraine and Belarus declare the USSR ended; CIS formed; Yeltsin leads Russia |
Shock Therapy | Quick, IMF/World Bank-guided move from communism to capitalism in the 1990s |
Consequences | End of Cold War, unipolar world (US), new states, new conflicts |
India and Russia | Strong, time-tested friendship; 2001 Strategic Agreement; arms, oil, nuclear energy, space |
Exercises
Which among the following statements that describe the nature of Soviet economy is wrong? (a) Socialism was the dominant ideology (b) State ownership/control existed over the factors of production (c) People enjoyed economic freedom (d) Every aspect of the economy was planned and controlled by the State
Answer
Answer
In the Soviet economy the State owned and controlled the productive assets and planned everything. People did not have economic freedom: they could not freely own property or run private enterprises.
Option | Statement | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
(a) | Socialism was the dominant ideology | True |
(b) | State ownership over factors of production | True |
(c) | People enjoyed economic freedom | Wrong |
(d) | Economy planned and controlled by the State | True |
- People enjoyed economic freedom.
Arrange the following in chronological order: a. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan b. Fall of the Berlin Wall c. Disintegration of the Soviet Union d. Russian Revolution
Answer
Answer
Event | Year |
|---|---|
d. Russian Revolution | 1917 |
a. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan | 1979 |
b. Fall of the Berlin Wall | 1989 |
c. Disintegration of the Soviet Union | 1991 |
d, a, b, c
Which among the following is NOT an outcome of the disintegration of the USSR? a. End of the ideological war between the US and USSR b. Birth of CIS c. Change in the balance of power in the world order d. Crises in the Middle East
Answer
Answer
- The ideological war between capitalism and communism ended: an outcome.
- The Commonwealth of Independent States was formed in December 1991: an outcome.
- The balance of power changed, as the US became the only superpower: an outcome.
- Crises in the Middle East were not a result of the Soviet disintegration.
- Crises in the Middle East.
Match the following: i. Mikhail Gorbachev, ii. Shock Therapy, iii. Russia, iv. Boris Yeltsin, v. Warsaw — with a. Successor of USSR, b. Military pact, c. Introduced reforms, d. Economic model, e. President of Russia.
Answer
Answer
Column A | Column B | |
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 |
i – c, ii – d, iii – a, iv – e, v – b
Fill in the blanks. a. The Soviet political system was based on ______ ideology. b. ______ was the military alliance started by the USSR. c. ______ party dominated the Soviet Union’s political system. d. ______ initiated the reforms in the USSR in 1985. e. The fall of the ______ symbolised the end of the Cold War.
Answer
Answer
Blank | |
a | Socialist (communist) |
b | Warsaw Pact |
c | Communist |
d | Mikhail Gorbachev |
e | Berlin Wall |
- socialist; b. Warsaw Pact; c. Communist; d. Mikhail Gorbachev; e. Berlin Wall
Mention any three features that distinguish the Soviet economy from that of a capitalist country like the US.
Answer
Answer
Feature | Soviet economy | Capitalist economy (US) |
|---|---|---|
Ownership | State ownership of land and productive assets | Private ownership of property and enterprises |
Planning | Centrally planned: the State decided what, how much and for whom | Decisions through the market, by prices and competition |
Welfare and freedom | Government ensured a minimum standard of living and subsidised health, education, childcare; no economic freedom | Little State provision; individuals have economic freedom, and profit is the motive |
The Soviet economy had state ownership, central planning and State-guaranteed welfare, unlike the market-based capitalist economy.
What were the factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR?
Answer
Answer
- Stagnant economy: the economy was unable to match the West in technology, infrastructure and consumer goods; there were shortages and low quality.
- Huge military spending: the arms race with the US, the nuclear arsenal and the 1979 Afghan invasion drained the resources.
- Bureaucratic, authoritarian system: the one-party system was unaccountable; there was no freedom of speech, and the people were unhappy.
- Lack of freedom to the republics: the 15 republics wanted to manage their own affairs, and Russia dominated.
- Knowledge of the West: the people became aware of the higher living standard in the West, which made them feel the Soviet system was backward.
- Accidents such as Chernobyl (1986) exposed the weakness of the system.
Therefore Gorbachev, who became General Secretary in 1985, started the reforms of perestroika and glasnost.
A stagnant economy, heavy military spending, an unaccountable one-party system and public discontent forced Gorbachev to reform.
What were the major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India?
Answer
Answer
- Loss of a time-tested friend and partner: the USSR had supported India with the 1971 Treaty, arms, aid and the veto in the UN.
- Change in foreign policy: India lost a balancing power, so it began to improve relations with the US and the West and adopted a more open economy (reforms of 1991).
- Relationship with Russia continues: the Indo-Russian Strategic Agreement of 2001 and more than 80 bilateral agreements; Russia is India’s major source of arms, oil and energy, nuclear power and space technology (the cryogenic rocket).
- Other benefits: support on Kashmir, information-sharing on terrorism, access to Central Asia, and a balance with China.
- Unipolar world: the US became dominant; India favoured a multipolar world and a strong UN.
- Opened a market for links with the new Central Asian republics.
India lost a key friend and had to rebalance towards the US, but the friendship with Russia continues, particularly in defence and energy.
What was Shock Therapy? Was this the best way to make a transition from communism to capitalism?
Answer
Answer
Shock Therapy was the model of transition from communism to capitalism in Russia, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics in the 1990s, guided by the World Bank and the IMF. It involved a quick and radical change: privatisation of state assets and industries, free trade, removal of State control, and a market economy, with no gradual steps.
Consequences
- The economy collapsed: about 90 % of industries were sold off, often at very low prices; the value of the rouble fell, and the GDP in 1999 was below that of 1989.
- The old trade and social welfare network collapsed, with a huge rise in unemployment and poverty.
- Inequality between rich and poor increased, and a mafia class emerged.
- The food security system collapsed, and democratic institutions were not built; the constitution gave the President strong powers.
Was it the best way? No. The sudden change led to hardship and instability. A gradual, planned transition, with institutions and welfare protection, would have been better, as the cases of China and Vietnam suggest.
Shock Therapy was a rapid, IMF-guided move to capitalism; it caused economic collapse and inequality, so it was not the best way.
Write an essay for or against the following proposition: “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”.
Answer
Answer
I write against the proposition.
Introduction. The end of the Cold War created a unipolar world, but India’s foreign policy rests on non-alignment, national interest and an independent course. Dropping old friends for a single power would go against these.
Arguments against
- Independent policy: non-alignment means equal friendship with all; relying on one power would reduce our autonomy.
- Russia remains a reliable friend: a time-tested friend, which stood by India in crises and in the UN; more than 80 agreements under the 2001 Strategic Agreement.
- Defence and energy: Russia is the largest supplier of military hardware, and is important for oil and gas, nuclear power and the space programme.
- Strategic balance: Russia helps in balancing China, gives access to Central Asia, and supports India on Kashmir and on terrorism.
- Multipolar world: India wants a multipolar world and a stronger, democratic UN; putting all eggs in the US basket weakens it.
- The US is not always a dependable partner, given its pressure on issues such as nuclear policy and trade.
Counter view (for): the US is the largest economy, a source of technology, investment and a market, and a partner on terrorism.
Conclusion. India should build good relations with the US without weakening ties with Russia and the other friends, guided by its own national interest.
Against: India should keep friendly relations with both the US and Russia, guided by its independent national interest.
Topic checklist
- ☒ Soviet system and economy (Q1, Q5, Q6)
- ☒ Chronology and events (Q2, Q3)
- ☒ Gorbachev’s reforms and disintegration (Q4, Q7)
- ☒ Shock Therapy (Q9)
- ☒ India and the post-Soviet world (Q8, Q10)