Class | Subject | Book | Chapter | Session | Questions covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XII | Political Science | Contemporary World Politics (NCERT) | 2 – Contemporary Centres of Power | 2026-27 | 14 of 14 |
Chapter at a glance
Topic | Key point |
|---|---|
European Union | From Marshall Plan (1948) → OEEC (1948) → Council of Europe (1949) → ECSC (1951) → EEC (1957) → EU (Maastricht Treaty, 1992); common currency euro, flag, anthem; economic, political and military influence |
ASEAN | Established 1967 (Bangkok Declaration) by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand; ‘ASEAN Way’ – informal, non-confrontational, cooperative; ASEAN Community (2003) with three pillars – Security, Economic, Socio-Cultural; ARF (1994) for security; ASEAN Vision 2020 |
China | Communist revolution 1949; command economy; open door policy and reforms from 1978 under Deng Xiaoping; WTO 2001; second largest economy |
India–China | Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai, 1962 war over Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh (NEFA); improvement since Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 visit; trade growth; continuing border tensions |
Japan and South Korea | Japan – third largest economy, only Asian G-7 member; South Korea – “Miracle on the Han River”, OECD member 1996 |
Exercises
Arrange the following in chronological order. a. China’s accession to WTO b. Establishment of the EEC c. Establishment of the EU d. Birth of ARF
Answer
Answer
- Establishment of the EEC – 1957 (Treaty of Rome)
- Establishment of the EU – 1992 (Maastricht Treaty)
- Birth of ARF – 1994
- China’s accession to WTO – 2001
EEC (1957) → EU (1992) → ARF (1994) → China’s accession to WTO (2001): b, c, d, a.
The ‘ASEAN Way’ – a. Reflects the life style of ASEAN members b. A form of interaction among ASEAN members that is informal and cooperative c. The defence policy followed by the ASEAN members d. The road that connects all the ASEAN members
Answer
Answer
(b) The ASEAN Way is a form of interaction among ASEAN members that is informal, non-confrontational and cooperative, respecting national sovereignty.
- A form of interaction among ASEAN members that is informal and cooperative.
Which of the following nations adopted an ‘open door’ policy? a. China b. South Korea c. Japan d. USA
Answer
Answer
(a) China – in 1978, under Deng Xiaoping, China announced the ‘open door’ policy to attract foreign capital and technology.
- China.
Fill in the blanks: a. The border conflict between China and India in 1962 was principally over ______ and ______ region. b. ARF was established in the year ______. c. China entered into bilateral relations with ______ (a major country) in 1972. d. ______ Plan influenced the establishment of the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation in 1948. e. ______ is the organisation of ASEAN that deals with security.
Answer
Answer
- Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh (then NEFA)
2. 1994
- USA (Nixon’s visit, 1972)
- Marshall Plan
5. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
- Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh; b. 1994; c. USA; d. Marshall; e. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
What are the objectives of establishing regional organisations?
Answer
Answer
- Economic development – through free trade, investment and economic integration within the region.
- Peace and security – resolving disputes peacefully and building trust among neighbours.
- Collective bargaining – a stronger voice in global affairs and negotiations (e.g. WTO).
- Reducing dependence on superpowers and checking external intervention.
- Social and cultural cooperation – exchange in education, culture, health and technology.
- Tackling common problems – terrorism, environment, disasters, drug trafficking.
To promote economic growth through cooperation and free trade, maintain regional peace and security, increase collective bargaining power, reduce outside interference, and cooperate on social, cultural and common problems.
How does geographical proximity influence the formation of regional organisations?
Answer
Answer
- Shared interests and problems – neighbouring countries face common issues (river waters, borders, trade, security, environment, migration), which encourage cooperation.
- Easier trade and transport – low transport costs and connectivity make economic integration natural (e.g. EU single market).
- Cultural and historical ties – common history, languages and cultures build a sense of regional identity (e.g. ASEAN, SAARC).
- Security interdependence – conflict in one country affects its neighbours, so collective security is in everyone’s interest.
- Collective strength – regional groupings give small neighbouring countries more influence globally.
Hence most regional organisations (EU, ASEAN, SAARC, AU) are formed by geographically close countries.
Nearby countries share problems, trade routes, cultures and security concerns; proximity makes trade and cooperation easier and creates a regional identity and collective strength, encouraging regional organisations.
What are the components of the ASEAN Vision 2020?
Answer
Answer
ASEAN Vision 2020 defines an outward-looking role for ASEAN in the international community. Its components:
- ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward-looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity.
- Encouraging negotiation over conflicts in the region (as in Cambodia, East Timor).
- Partnership in dynamic development – economic integration, the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
- A community of caring societies – human resource development, social justice, environment protection.
- Outward-looking – dialogue and cooperation with other countries (ARF, ASEAN+3, ties with India, China, USA, etc.).
ASEAN Vision 2020 envisages an outward-looking ASEAN as a peaceful, stable and prosperous concert of nations that settles disputes by negotiation, integrates economically and builds caring societies while engaging the wider world.
Name the pillars and the objectives of the ASEAN Community.
Answer
Answer
Pillars (2003):
- ASEAN Security Community – to settle territorial disputes peacefully, avoid armed conflict and build mutual trust (Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, ARF).
- ASEAN Economic Community – to create a common market and production base, and to promote social and economic development (AFTA, investment area).
- ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community – to promote cooperation in education, health, culture, environment and social welfare, and build a caring society.
Objectives: to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development; to promote regional peace and stability based on the rule of law and the UN Charter; to build a shared regional identity.
The three pillars are the ASEAN Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community; they aim at regional peace, economic integration and growth, and social and cultural cooperation.
In what ways does the present Chinese economy differ from its command economy?
Answer
Answer
Command economy (1949–1978) | Present economy (after 1978 reforms) |
|---|---|
State owned and controlled all means of production | Mixed economy – private ownership allowed alongside state enterprises |
Central planning decided production, prices and distribution | Market forces play a large role (“socialist market economy”) |
Collective farms (communes) | Household responsibility system – land leased to households |
Closed to foreign trade and investment | Open door policy; Special Economic Zones; large FDI; WTO member (2001) |
Slow growth, shortages | Rapid growth (around 9–10 % for decades); second largest economy; largest exporter |
Little industrial technology | Advanced manufacturing and technology |
China has moved from state ownership, central planning, collective farms and isolation to a market-oriented “socialist market economy” with private enterprise, household farming, SEZs, foreign investment and integration into world trade, giving rapid growth.
How did the European countries resolve their post-Second World War problem? Briefly outline the attempts that led to the formation of the European Union.
Answer
Answer
After the Second World War, Europe was devastated, divided and faced the Cold War. European countries resolved their problems through economic cooperation and integration, with American support:
- Marshall Plan (1948) – US financial aid for reviving Europe’s economy.
- OEEC (1948) – Organisation for European Economic Cooperation, to channel aid and promote trade.
- NATO (1949) – collective security under US leadership.
- Council of Europe (1949) – political cooperation.
- European Coal and Steel Community (1951) – pooling of coal and steel by six countries.
- European Economic Community (1957, Treaty of Rome) – common market.
- European Parliament – direct elections from 1979.
- After the collapse of the Soviet bloc, the Maastricht Treaty (1992) established the European Union – common foreign and security policy, cooperation on justice and home affairs, and a single currency (the euro, from 1999/2002).
Europe rebuilt through US-backed economic cooperation – Marshall Plan, OEEC, NATO, Council of Europe, ECSC (1951), EEC (1957) and the European Parliament – leading to the European Union under the Maastricht Treaty (1992) with a common currency.
What makes the European Union a highly influential regional organisation?
Answer
Answer
- Economic power – one of the largest economies in the world; the euro rivals the US dollar; the largest trading bloc; major influence in the WTO.
- Political and diplomatic influence – two members (France; earlier also the UK) are permanent members of the UN Security Council; others are non-permanent members.
- Military strength – combined armed forces among the largest; France is a nuclear power.
- Technology and space – advanced in science, space and communication.
- Soft power – diplomacy, negotiation, development aid; influence on neighbours (e.g. with trade and aid).
- Supranational organisation – common foreign and security policy, common laws and institutions.
Its huge economy and the euro, leadership in world trade, seats on the UN Security Council, combined military and nuclear power, technological strength and diplomatic soft power make the EU highly influential.
The emerging economies of China and India have great potential to challenge the unipolar world. Do you agree with the statement? Substantiate your arguments.
Answer
Answer
Yes, to a considerable extent.
- Economic growth – China is the second largest economy and India the fifth; both have grown rapidly and are major markets and production bases.
- Population and markets – both have huge populations, workforces and consumer markets that attract global investment.
- Military strength – both are nuclear powers with large armed forces; China’s defence budget is second only to the US.
- Technology and knowledge – India in IT services and space; China in manufacturing and technology.
- Global institutions – both play a major role in the WTO, G-20 and BRICS, and in climate negotiations; the New Development Bank and AIIB are alternatives to Western-led institutions.
- Cooperation – if they cooperate (BRICS, SCO), they can shape a multipolar world.
Limitations: border disputes and rivalry between India and China, poverty and inequality, and dependence on Western technology and markets limit the challenge. The US still leads militarily and technologically.
Conclusion: China and India have great potential to make the world multipolar, especially if they cooperate, but they are not yet equal to the US.
Yes – their rapid growth, vast markets, nuclear and military strength, technological capacity and role in WTO, G-20 and BRICS can push the world towards multipolarity, though India–China rivalry, poverty and US dominance limit this.
The peace and prosperity of countries lay in the establishment and strengthening of regional economic organisations. Justify this statement.
Answer
Answer
- Economic prosperity – free trade, common markets and investment flows increase growth (e.g. EU single market, ASEAN Free Trade Area).
- Peace through interdependence – economic links make war costly; former enemies (France and Germany) became partners in the EU.
- Conflict resolution – regional forums (ARF, SAARC) provide platforms for dialogue.
- Collective bargaining – regional groups negotiate better in the WTO and with big powers.
- Shared solutions – cooperation on terrorism, environment, disasters, health.
- Reduced dependence on superpowers and less outside interference.
Examples: the EU turned a war-torn continent into a zone of peace and prosperity; ASEAN helped Southeast Asia grow rapidly and peacefully.
Regional economic organisations promote growth through trade and investment, create interdependence that makes conflict costly, offer forums for dialogue and collective bargaining, and tackle common problems – as seen in the EU and ASEAN.
Identify the contentious issues between China and India. How could these be resolved for greater cooperation? Give your suggestions.
Answer
Answer
Contentious issues
- Border disputes – Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh; clashes (Doklam 2017, Galwan 2020).
- China’s support to Pakistan – military and nuclear help; the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through PoK; blocking India’s moves in the UN against terrorists.
- Tibet and the Dalai Lama issue.
- Trade imbalance – a large trade deficit for India.
- China’s influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar – “string of pearls”).
- Water issues – dams on the Brahmaputra.
- Opposition to India’s membership of the UN Security Council and the NSG.
Suggestions
- Continue border talks and confidence-building measures; respect the LAC; boundary demarcation through negotiation.
- Regular high-level dialogue (summits, informal meetings).
- Balanced trade – market access for Indian goods; investment cooperation.
- Cooperation in multilateral forums – BRICS, SCO, G-20, climate negotiations.
- People-to-people contacts – tourism, education, cultural exchanges.
- Data sharing on rivers and joint mechanisms.
Issues include the border dispute, China’s support to Pakistan and CPEC, Tibet, trade imbalance, competition in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, and river waters; they can be eased through border talks and CBMs, regular dialogue, balanced trade, cooperation in BRICS/SCO/G-20 and people-to-people contacts.
Topic checklist
- ☒ European Union – evolution and influence (Q 1, 4d, 10, 11)
- ☒ ASEAN – ASEAN Way, Community, Vision 2020 (Q 2, 4b, 4e, 7, 8)
- ☒ China’s economy and India–China relations (Q 3, 4a, 4c, 9, 12, 14)
- ☒ Regional organisations (Q 5, 6, 13)