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Political Science Class 12th, Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity, Notes, , HEMRAJ SIR, , B.A. , B.Ed. , M.A. (POL. SCI.), , © The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, (USSR) came into being after the Socialist, Revolution in Russia in 1917. The, revolution was inspired by the ideals of, socialism and the need for an egalitarian, society as opposed to capitalism., , © After the Second World War, the East, European countries that the Soviet army, had liberated from the fascist forces, came under the control of the USSR., , © There was change in the economic and, political system of the USSR. Then the
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Soviet economy became more developed, than the rest of the world except the USA., , (©) However, the Soviet system became very, bureaucratic and authoritarian. It made, life very difficult for its citizens., , ©) In the arms race, the Soviet Union, managed to match the USA from time to, time, but at great cost., , © Mikhail Gorbachev, who had become, General Secretary of the Communist, Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, sought, to reform the system. He introduced, economic and political reform policies of, perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost, (openness). But later his policies were, criticised., , © Acoup took place in 1991 that was
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encouraged by Communist Party, hardliners. The people did not want the, old-style rule of the Communist Party and, wanted freedom., , © Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, the three, major republics of the USSR, declared in, December 1991 that the Soviet Union was, disintegrated.;, , (© Capitalism and democracy were adopted, as the basis for the post Soviet republics., , (© Reasons for the Soviet Union, Disintegration. There are several reasons, which led to the collapse of the Soviet, Union., , © These were Internal weaknesses of Soviet, political and economic institutions failed, to meet the aspirations of the people., , C) The economy of the Soviet Union became, stagnant. The Soviet economy used much, of its resources in maintaining a nuclear, and military arsenal., , © The Soviet Union too became stagnant
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due to rampant corruption, the, unwillingness to allow more openness in, government, and the centralisation of, authority in a vast land., , © Asection of the society was not happy, with the reforms of Gorbachev. It was, believed that the reforms introduced by, Gorbachev were at a very slow pace., , © Another reason for the collapse of USSR, was the rise of nationalism and the desire, for sovereignty within various republics, including Russia and the Baltic republics., , There are many consequences of the, disintegration of USSR. They are as follows:, ©) It led to the end of Cold War, confrontations. There was no dispute of, Socialist ideology and Capitalist ideology., © Power relations in world politics changed, and thus it led to change in the relative
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influence of ideas and institutions., , () The USA became the sole superpower, which also backed the capitalist economy, making it the dominant economic system, internationally., , © The end of the Soviet bloc paved way for, the emergence of many new countries. All, these countries had their own, independent aspirations and choices., , © The international system saw many new, players’ emerge, each with its own, identity, interests and economic and, political difficulties., , The model of transition in Russia, Central, Asia and East Europe from an authoritarian, socialist system to a democratic capitalist, system which was influenced by the World, Bank and the IMF came to be known as, ‘Shock Therapy’.
