The End of Bipolarity - Quick Revision

Introduction

• Lecture by Mohin Pathan
• Quick revision of the chapter in 10 minutes
• PDF available via email: khan@247.com

The Fall of Berlin Wall (1989)

• Symbolized the end of division of Germany
• Wall's length: 155 km (96 miles)
• Led to the unification of Germany after the fall in 1990

What was the Soviet System?

• Russian Revolution (1917)
  • Led by Vladimir Lenin
  • Inspired by socialism, against capitalism
  • Focused on equality and an elite society
• Formation of USSR (1922)
  • Central government, controlled economy
  • Politically dominated by Communist Party
  • Post WWII: Eastern European countries under USSR (Stalin era)
• Socialist Block/Military Alliance (Warsaw Pact, 1955)
• Economic and Social Features
  • Second largest economy after USA
  • Extensive transportation network
  • Comprehensive consumer goods production
  • State ensured minimum standards of living (education, healthcare, etc.)
  • Complete employment
  • State ownership dominated

Challenges in the Soviet System

• Bureaucratic and Authoritarian
  • Lack of democracy, freedom of speech
  • Communist Party unaccountable to citizens
  • Ignored autonomy demands of 15 republics
  • Russia's dominance in USSR
• Economic Burden
  • Heavy spending on arms race with USA
  • Support for satellite states
  • Technology and infrastructure lagged behind USA
• Economic Stagnation (Late 1970s)
• Leadership Transitions
  • Notable Leaders: Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachev
  • Post disintegration: Boris Yeltsin, Russia's first president

Gorbachev and the Disintegration

• Gorbachev's Reforms (1985)
  • Glasnost (Political Reforms) and Perestroika (Economic Reforms)
  • Aimed at democratization and multi-party system
• Protests and Independence Movements
  • E.g., Baltic nations (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
• USSR's Disbandment (1991)
  • Russia, Ukraine, Belarus declared disbandment under Boris Yeltsin
  • Communist Party banned
  • Shift to capitalist democracy in post-Soviet countries

Consequences of Disintegration

• End of Cold War
  • End of ideological conflict and arms race
• Shift in Power Relations
  • USA as the sole superpower
  • Emergence of a unipolar world
  • Dominance of capitalist economy
• Emergence of New Countries
  • 15 independent nations
  • Joining international organizations like UN and WTO

Shock Therapy

• Painful Transition
  • Shift from authoritarian socialism to democratic capitalism
  • Influenced by World Bank and IMF
• Impact of Shock Therapy
  • Economic ruin and political crisis
  • Valuable industries sold at throwaway prices
  • Fragmentation of economic structures
  • Poverty and food scarcity
  • Loss of social welfare
  • Rise of crime and mafia
• Political Problems
  • Hasty constitutions, extensive presidential powers
  • Secessionist movements (e.g., Chechnya, Dagestan)
  • Civil wars (e.g., Tajikistan)

Rays of Hope (Post-2000)

• Economic Revival
  • Export of natural resources (oil, gas, minerals)
  • Revival of manufacturing

India and Post-Soviet Countries

• Strong Relations with Russia
  • Collaboration in nuclear energy, space industry
  • Scientific and technological cooperation
• India's Role During Cold War
  • Major public sector projects supported by USSR
  • Acceptance of Indian currency for trade
  • Consistent UN support on Kashmir
  • 1971 Treaty of Peace and Friendship
  • Military imports and joint production agreements

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Hope you found this quick revision helpful. Stay connected and see you in the next session!

जयहिंद