Cheat Sheet: The End of Bipolarity | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

What Was the Soviet System?

• Formation: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) emerged after the 1917 socialist revolution in Russia, inspired by socialism and the goal of an egalitarian society, opposing capitalism.
• Political System: Centred on the Communist Party; no other parties or opposition allowed.
• Economy: Planned and state-controlled.
• Post-World War II: Eastern European countries liberated by the Soviet army formed the socialist bloc, united by the Warsaw Pact military alliance.
• Strengths: Ensured minimum living standards, subsidised necessities (health, education, childcare, welfare), and eliminated unemployment.
• Weaknesses: Bureaucratic, authoritarian; lagged behind the West in technology, infrastructure, and meeting political/economic aspirations; economy stagnated by the late 1970s.

Gorbachev and the Disintegration

• Reforms (1985): Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, initiated reforms to normalise relations with the West, democratise, and reform the Soviet system.
• Unintended Consequences: Reforms exposed system defects; East European countries protested Soviet control; Gorbachev did not intervene, leading to the collapse of the communist regime.
• Coup (1991): Communist Party hardliners attempted a coup against Gorbachev, opposed by people seeking freedom.
• Dissolution (December 1991): Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, led by Yeltsin, declared the USSR disbanded; adopted capitalism and democracy.
• Russia’s Role: Accepted as the USSR’s successor state, inheriting its UN Security Council seat and international commitments.

Reasons for the Soviet Union Disintegration

Consequences of Disintegration

Shock Therapy in Post-Communist Regimes

• Definition: Transition from authoritarian socialism to democratic capitalism, influenced by the World Bank and the IMF.
• Features: Total shift to capitalism, dismantling Soviet-era structures, breaking trade alliances among Soviet bloc countries.
• Variations: Differed in intensity and speed across former Soviet states.

Consequences

Tensions and Conflicts

• Former Soviet Republics: Prone to civil wars, insurgencies; e.g., Chechnya, Dagestan secessionist movements; Tajikistan’s 10-year civil war.
• Eastern Europe: Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia; Yugoslavia fragmented into Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.
• Central Asia: Became a competitive zone for outside powers and oil companies; sectarian conflicts are prevalent.

India and Post-Communist Countries

• Relations: India maintains strong ties with post-communist countries, especially Russia.
• Indo-Russian Strategic Agreement (2001): Over 80 bilateral agreements; supports a multipolar world order.
• Benefits for India: Support for Kashmir, energy supplies, Central Asia access, balancing China relations.
• Benefits for Russia: India is the second-largest arms market.

Timeline of Key Events