- » CLASS-12 POLITICAL SCIENCE CH:2'THE END)OF | BIPOLARITY, JIMPORTANT|NOTES) BY/SIMRAN/SAHNIWHAT WAS THE SOVIET-SYSTEM? The union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) came into being after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. The revolution was inspired by the ideals of socialism with the aim to setup egalitarian society. Bolshevik revolution opposed to capitalism and to abolish the institution of private property and consciously design a society based onthe principles of equality. Bolshevik party played an important role in formation of an economy that was centrally planned and controlled by the state. No other political party or opposition was allowed. This Bolshevik controlled system was known as ‘Soviet System’. 1. Soviet Union had complex communication network. It had vast energy resources including oil, iron and steel. 2. It had complex machinery production system and transport sector that connected its remotest areas with efficiency. 3. There was no unemployment. 4. The Soviet state ensured a minimum standard of living for all citizens and the government subsidised basic necessities including health, education, childcare and other welfare schemes. 5. It had a domestic consumer industry that produced everything from pins to cars,though their quality did not match that of the western capitalist countries, 6. State ownership was the dominant form of ownership: Land and productive assets were owned and controlled by the Soviet state. What was ideology on which Soviet System was based on? Ans. Socialist. When did Socialist Soviet came into existence? Ans. After Socialist revolution of 1917 Gorbachev and the Disintegration of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev, who had becomeé)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) andglasnost (openness). But later his policies were, criticised. . Role of Gorbachev to reform the Soviet system. Gorbachev initiated i, The policies of economic and political reforms - Perestroika (restructuring). ii. Glasnost-(Openness). iii. To stop the arms race with the US. iv. The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan and Eastern Europe. Effects of the Reforms on the USSR i. Gorbachev promised to reform the economy — catch up with the West -yet Soviet union collapsed. ii. The communist party members felt that their power and privileges were eroding.iii. His reforms gave rise to nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within various republics (including Russia and the Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). iv. Even the ordinary people felt alienated from the central Asians and from each other and felt they were paying too high a price to stay within the Soviet Union. A coup took place in 1991 that was 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 asthe basis for the post Soviet republics. The reasons that forced, Gorbachev to bring improvements in Soviet Union are as. follows: 1. Reforms were necessary to keep USSR abreast of information and technical revolution taking place in West. 2. Communist party had full control and was neutral towards aspirations of people of 15 countries. Hence, improvements were necessary. 3. Economic and political aspirations of people in USSR were not fulfilled, As a result, dissatisfaction kept on rising. Due to increasing dissatisfaction Gorbachev had to bring out reforms. 4. After the death of Brezhnev, Gorbachev took the leadership of Soviet Union. He was well aware of the fact that revolution of Information Technology had taken place in WesternCountries and Soviet Union had taken a back seat in this. He decided to implement these improvements and introduced reform policies of ‘perestroika’(restructuring) and glasnost (openness). He decided to improve relations with Western countries along with America on the domestic front. 5. Gorbachev felt that economy had become stagnant. This led to shortage of all consumer goods. A large part of population started having doubted outlook for governing system. 6. The public of Soviet Union was dissatisfied with the bureaucratic and authoritarian system. In spite’of similaritiesjamong all republics of Soviet Union, people felt’ neglected and suppressed due to increased domination of Russia. Members and managers at governing state had more facilities as compared to common people. This also led to public outrage. 7. A Coup took place in 1991, which was encouraged by Communist party hardliners. The people had tasted freedom by then and did not want the old-style rule of the communist party. All these factors forced Gorbachev to reform. When was the ‘Wall of Berlin’ broken? 9 November 1989. . Which republics wanted to stay with Soviet Union? Middle Asian Republics. Which republics announced the disintegration of Soviet Union? Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. 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. 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 due to rampant corruption, the unwillingness to allow more openness in government, and the centralisation of authority in a vast land. A section of the society was not happy with theireforms 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. Consequences of disintegration of Soviet Union. End of the Cold War: Disintegration of Soviet Union led to end of the Cold War confrontations. The ideological dispute over, whether the socialist system would beat the capitalist system was not an issue anymore. (ii) End of Massive Arms Race: Cold War with Ideological dispute had engaged the military of two blocs, had triggered a massive arms race and accumulation of nuclear weapons, and had led to the existence of military blocs. The end of the confrontation brought a ray of hope to that there will be an end to this arms race and peace would beestablished. (iii) Unipolar System: The possibility of disintegration of Soviet Union was expressed as either unipolar international politics with the domination of remaining one superpower ‘on the rapidly changing international stage or European Union, SAARC, ASEAN, etc., could become important players in the international system,thereby bringing ina multipolar system where no one power could dominate. As it turned out, the US became the sole superpower. Shock Therapy in Post-Communist Regimes 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”. This process of transition was due tothe Collapse of Communism. There was a need to make a total shift to a capitalist economy which meant rooting out. completely any structures evolved during the Soviet period. Shock therapy also involved a drastic change in the external orientation of these economics. It also involved a break up of the existing . trade alliances among the countries of the Soviet bloc. Consequences of Shock Therapy The shock therapy brought ruin to the economies and disaster upon the people of the entireregion. The value of the Russian currency ‘Ruble’ declined dramaticall People lost all their savings due to high rate of inflation. The government withdrew subsidies which pushed large sections of the people into poverty. ’ The middle classes were pushed to the periphery ofSociety. The construction of democratic institutions was fot given the same attention and priority as the r demands of economic transformation. Most of these economies, especially Russia, started/reviving in 2000, 10 years after their ) independence. The reason for the revival Was.théexport of natural resources like oil, natural gas and minerals. Tensions and Conflicts.in Former Soviet Republics There were tensions and.conflicts in most of the former Soviet republics and many have had civil wars and insurgencies. In Russia, two republics, Chechnya and Dagestan have had violent secessionist movements. Tajikistan witnessed a civil war for almost 10 years till 2001. The region had many sectarian conflicts. Central Asia too become a zone of competition between outside powers and oil companies. Czechoslovakia was divided into two, the Czechs and the Slovaks thus forming independent countries. Yugoslavia broke apart with several provinces like Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina declaring independence. In which two republics did Secessionist Movements hold?Ans. Chechnya and Dagestan. Why did middle Asia republics become a battleground for inter-rivalry of external powers and oil companies? Ans. These states had huge stock of hydrocarbonic (petroleum) resources. In which two parts did Czechoslovakia split? Ans. Czechs and Slovaks. . Where did extensive struggle happen in Balken area? Ans. In Yugoslavia. India and Post-Communist Countries -India has maintained good relations With all the Post-Communist countries but it has the strongest relation with Russia which continues to date..Following are some arguments to support the statement: 1. Indo-Russian relation is.an important segment of India’s foreign policy. The relations between thése two countries are embedded in a history/of trust,and common interests and are matched by popular percéptions. Famous Bollywood personalities are common names in Russia. 2. Both countries share a vision of a multipolar world order. A multipolar world is the co-existence of several powers in the international system, collective security, greater regionalism, negotiated settlements of international conflicts, an independent foreign policy for all countries and decision-making through bodies like the UN. 3. From this relationship, India gets benefits on issues like Kashmir, energy supplies, sharing information on international terrorism, access to Central Asia and balancing its relations with China. On the other hand, Russia stands to benefit fromthis relationship because India is the second largest arms market for Russia. The Indian military gets most of its hardware from Russia. 4. Russia is vital for India as it has repeatedly come to the assistance of India during its oil crisis. India is trying to increase its energy imports from Russia and the republics of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. 5. Apart from this, Russia is important for India’s nuclear energy plants and assisted India’s space industry. For example, Russia has provided the cryogenic rocket when India needed it. Dut to the above reasons, Russia is considered.an important aspect of India’s foreign policy. SIMRAN SAHNI YOUTUBEWhat is the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)? Tha Commonwealth of Indapandant Stales (CIS) is a regional intergavernmental erganization of the former Soviet Republics which is focused on cooperation in the following aspects: Political Economic, Environmental, Humanitarian, Cultural and Other Issues History of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) The Soviet Union was dissolved in 1891 leading to the foundation of the Cammonwealth of Independent States (CIS), The founding states of the CIS include Bolarus, Russia and Ukraine. The remaining republics of the Soviet Urion jonned the Commonwealth of Independent States after signing the Alma-Ata Protocol. Now, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has the following countries as its members: Russia, Belarus & Ukraine Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Kyrayzstan, Meetings are held periodically on a ratatng basis at he CIS countries’ capitals. Forums nclude the Council of Heads of State, the Council of Prime Ministers, and the Council of Foreign Ministers. Whiat is the role of CIS? Tha Commonwealth of Indagendent Stalos (CIS) meets periodically on a rotating basis at the capitals of the Member Countries. The Council of Heads of State, Council of Prime Min’sters and Council of Foreign Ministers are included In the forums. The CIS performs its activities based on the CIS Charter which was signed in 1993 in order to set up various inettutions of tne CIS and thelr rules and functions, This Charter incorporates the rights and obligations of the member countries along with the goals and principles of the Commonwealth. The Charter states tha! the Commonwealth wes formed on the basis of sovereign equally of all its members and that the Member Stetes were independent and equal subjects under international law. It also mentions that the Commonwealth of Independent States shall serve in developing and strengthening trust, mutual understanding, friendship, inter-ethnic accord and cooperaticn between the member states. Members af Commonwealth of Independent States 42 States — Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrayzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. CIS Member Countries ‘The Commonwealth of Independent Stales has its headquarters located in Minsk, Belarus. Another important department of CIS ie., CIS Executive Committee which looks after the economic affairs is situated in Moscow, RussiaUTC a Ll Aug 1990 - March 1991 TIMELIINE August 2, 1990-Iraq invades Kuwait August 7, 1990-President George Bush launches “Operation Desert Shield", sending American troops to try to stop an Iraqi attack on Saudi Arabia. First U.S. Fighter plains arrive in Saudi Arabia. January 16-17, 1991-The air war begins. Bombers and cruise missiles strike at power plants and other important targets. Iraq attacks Israel with scud missiles .This air war last 42 days. February 24, 1991-Allied ground assault begins. Iraqis leave Kuwait igniting an estimated 700 oil wells in Kuwait February 28, 1991-Conclusion of war declared after 100 hours.Background to War Iraq had a number of reasons for attacking Kuwait. Iraq had never really accepted the state of Kuwait and considered it to be part the land between the rivers, Euphrates and Tigris rivers that belong to Iraq. Iraq thought the underground oil along the border with Kuwait was theirs. Iraq claimed before the war, Kuwait was responsible for the reducing world oil prices. Saddam Hussein claimed that Kuwait owed his country money for Iraq’s economic losses. Kuwait's leaders refused all of Saddam's demands and increased its oil production by 40 percent. It is clear that Iraq expected to claim as its territory Kuwait and that they initially never expected an allied force to fight back. INVASION BY IRAQ On August 2, 1990 Iraqi troops crossed the border between Kuwait and Iraq. Within a few days of the attack the country of Kuwait was occupied and the Iraqi forces were closing on the border with Saudi Arabia. At that time if Saddam's troops were not stopped at the Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border he would attack other oil producing countries. President George W. H. Bush ordered U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft to go to Saudi Arabia to stop the Iraqis. Operation Desert Shield started on August 2, 1990. Saddam Hussein was being presented as the evil dictatorship that he had come to destroy a peaceful and militarily weak neighbor rteOPERATIION DESERT STORM Shortly before 3:00 a.m. on the morning of January 17, 1991, several stealth F-117 and B-1 soared across the skies of the brightly lit city of Baghdad. The Iraqi radar failed to the detect the present of any aircraft. Within minutes of the attack most of Iraq's Command and Control Communications Center, Air Force Headquarters and Air Defense Operations Center were destroyed. Operation Desert Storm the air phase of the war had started. During the next few hours coalition aircraft destroyed the electrical system in Baghdad, most of Iraq’s radar defenses and any remaining fighter aircraft. Bombing of Iraq by allied aircraftWHAT IS THE UNIPOLARITY? CT MOM Cli LM LCE Eel aren mT me Celtel) ways in which power is distributed within the international system. It describes the nature of the international system at any given period of time. One generally distinguishes four types of systems: unipolarity, bipolarity, tripolarity, and multipolarity for four or more centers of power. The type of system rele) ii pacels elle mom Mel umole elt Mol ml elon (1g and influence of states in a region or globally. * Unipolar systems possess only one great power and face no competition. If a competitor emerges, the international system is no longer unipolar. Kenneth Walt's maintains that the United States is the only “pole” to possess global interests—THE AFGHANISTAN:DEMOGRAPHICS e Afghanistan is overwhelmingly Muslim (99 percent), and Islam is the second largest religion in Russia. © But these demographic details have minimum bearing on the relations between the two countries. Most Russian Muslims live in the North Caucasus and Middle Volga Regions. eRussia and Afghanistan also share sizeable Turkic ethnic minorities, such as the Uzbeks and UZBEKISTAN CHINA TAJIKISTAN Mazar-i-, Sharif ‘Towraghondi “Herat Ghaznie AFGHANISTAN Kandahar e e Shindande In December 1979, in the midst of the Cold War, the Soviet 40th Army invaded Afghanistan in order to prop up the communist government of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) against a growing insurgency. e At the time, the United States had been making headway in the Middle East at Moscow’s expense, successfully courting Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. © The Soviet Union feared the loss of its communist proxy in Afghanistan. © The war lasted for 10 years with freedom fighting Afghans fighting against a forced communist government. © During this time Afghanistan's common people became homeless beggars due to previous war with the Soviet Union and the Taliban keeping the money for themselves. © War ended up being a Vietnam War that exhausted Soviet forces and economy. Gorbachev called the withdrawal of Soviet forces due to weak economy that the Soviet Union had at the time.a government overthrow put a communist regime in power in Kabul. e United States president Jimmy Carter gave permission to , this aid did not include arms. The Soviet Union eventually sent be to Afghanistan and e to the rebels. This aid total to __ + Eventually, the United States stopped sending aid to Afghanistan. © Finally, once an for all. © The following year, the and the rebels took power. e@ and use United States weapons against its own people and then on the United States itself.— : : ss er negotiations, as long the . However, there was still much fighting in Afghanistan. The Soviet supplied government was still fighting the American supplied rebels. The United States and Pakistan tried to stop the fighting, but nothing seemed to work. er the course of the 1980's, the Soviet Union poured in rilichs ct dollars (US) into the war in Afghanistan, and at its peak, However, the Afghan resistance heavily : ) a wide variety of international actors, including @|n the end, the mujahideen prevailed and the having lost tens of thousands killed and wounded. © Even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moscow continued to SUBELY and arm the communist regime of Dr. Najibullah, but this was not enough, and Kabul fell to the mujahideen in 1992.@ re -RISEOF TALIBAN: The different mujahideen factions could not agree on how to share power, and the country quickly descended into a bloody civil war. e\|n 1994, a movement of Pashtun fundamentalist students most of whom were trained in madrasas (religious schools) in the refugee camps in Pakistan seized Kandahar and started a campaign to wrest the country from the hands of the warlords. Known as the Taliban, this force marched into Kabul in 1996 and took control of most of the rest of the country by 1998. @ Many mujahideen warlords were forced to flee to the north, where they joined the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan or Northern Alliance, led by Burhanuddin Rabbani and Ahmad Shah Massoud. Rabbani Islami was one of the main mujahideen factions responsible for the defeat of the Soviet Army during the 1980s, Moscow decided to lend its support to the Northern Alliance, as did Iran, India, and others. © More importantly, the Taliban and their al-Qaeda allies were providing training and sanctuary to Chechen rebels, Central Asian militants, and others whom Moscow deemed as a threat.