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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate14 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The chapter 'The End of Bipolarity' in NCERT Class 12 Political Science explores the collapse of the Soviet Union and the consequent termination of the Cold War era, leading to a unipolar world dominated by the United States. It discusses the reasons behind the Soviet Union's disintegration, the emergence of independent states, and the economic and political transformations following the adoption of capitalism and democracy. The chapter also touches upon the broader implications for international politics and the influence of institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
Key Topics
- •Disintegration of the Soviet Union
- •End of the Cold War
- •Shock Therapy
- •Emergence of New Nations
- •Unipolarity and US Dominance
- •Impact on Global Politics
- •Economic Transformations
- •Role of International Institutions
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the reasons behind the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
- ✓Examine the impact of the Soviet Union’s collapse on global politics.
- ✓Analyze the economic transitions in post-Soviet states.
- ✓Evaluate the role of nationalism in political transitions.
- ✓Discuss the shift from a bipolar to a unipolar world.
- ✓Assess the implications for international institutions and global power dynamics.
Questions in Chapter
Which among the following statements that describe the nature of Soviet economy is wrong?
Page 12
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
Page 12
Which among the following is NOT an outcome of the disintegration of the USSR?
Page 13
Match the following: i) Mikhail Gorbachev a. Successor of USSR ii) Shock Therapy b. Military pact iii) Russia c. Introduced reforms iv) Boris Yeltsin d. Economic model v) Warsaw e. President of Russia
Page 13
Fill in the blanks: a) The Soviet political system was based on ___________________ ideology.
Page 14
What were the factors that forced Gorbachev to initiate the reforms in the USSR?
Page 14
Additional Practice Questions
Explain the concept of 'shock therapy' and its impact on post-Soviet economies.
mediumAnswer: Shock therapy refers to the rapid transition from an authoritarian socialist economy to a democratic capitalist system, characterized by sudden deregulation and opening up to foreign trade and investment. Its impact was severe in post-Soviet economies, leading to economic decline, loss of industry, inflation, and increased poverty.
Discuss how the disintegration of the Soviet Union affected global power dynamics.
hardAnswer: The disintegration marked the end of a bipolar world, transitioning to a unipolar system dominated by the US. This shift influenced global economic policies, promoting liberal democracy and capitalist market systems, and saw the emergence of new global players.
What role did nationalism play in the disintegration of the Soviet Union?
mediumAnswer: Nationalism fueled the desire for independence within various Soviet republics, notably in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. These aspirations led to demands for sovereignty, contributing significantly to the Soviet Union's collapse.
Analyze the reasons for economic stagnation in the Soviet Union prior to its disintegration.
mediumAnswer: The Soviet economic stagnation was due to excessive military expenditure, inefficiency of state-controlled resources, lack of technological advancement compared to the West, and an inability to fulfill consumer demands, leading to widespread discontent.
How did the disintegration of the Soviet Union impact India’s foreign policy?
easyAnswer: The disintegration forced India to reassess its foreign policies, strengthening ties with the US while maintaining relations with Russia, shifting focus to balance energy needs, military collaborations, and geopolitical interests.