Chapter-2

The End of Bipolarity

The Soviet System

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) came into existence in 1917 as a
result of Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin, a revolutionary leader
influenced by Socialist ideology. The Socialism, apart from other things,
advocates state ownership of means of production, state controlled economy,
a classless society and economic equality. The Soviet system was largely based
on these ideals.

The Soviet system gave primacy to the state and the institution of the party.
This system centred around the Communist Party and no other political party
was allowed. The economy was planned and controlled by the state. The other
features of the Soviet system were as under:

(i) The Soviet System was very bureaucratic and authoritarian in nature.

(ii) There was lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech and
expression.

(iii) There was tight control of Communist Party over all institutions and it was
not accountable to the people.

(iv)Russia dominated everything and people from other regions felt neglected
and often suppressed.

(v) The System was highly centralised and materialistic in nature. There was no
religious freedom.
WHY DID THE SOVIET UNION DISINTEGRATE?

It is very difficult for analysts to find answer to the question as to why did the
Soviet ' disintegrate. Perhaps the internal weakness of Soviet economic and
political institutions, economic stagnation, an unaccountable and unresponsive
political system were responsible for its downfall.

Causes of Disintegration of Soviet Union:-

(1) Stagnant Economic System: The Soviet Union maintained a huge nuclear
and military am which was used to develop and maintain its satellite states in
Eastern Europe and its Soviet Republics particularly the five Central Asian
republics. It led to a huge burden on its economic measures. People on Soviet
Union could not advance as rapidly as their Western adversaries. Gradually
people realised the disparity between their system and the Western
capitalism. Despite tall claims about the success of socialism, its hollowness
was exposed. It was proved that western capitalism was better which was a
shock for the people of Soviet Union affecting their psychology and faith in the
efficiency of the political system.

(2) A Highly Centralised Political and Administrative System: Soviet Union also
suffered from political and administrative stagnation. The ruling CPSU was
unaccountable to the people. People felt alienated by the stifling
administration. There was rampant corruption and the political elites did not
try to rectify their mistakes by allowing openness in the government and
decentralisation of authority on a vast land. To make matters worse, the
bureaucratic privileges made the people feel isolated from the common
mainstream. People were unable to correlate themselves with the rulers and
the prevailing system. It made the CPSU highly unpopular. Thus, political and
administrative stagnation was also responsible for the ultimate collapse of the
Soviet System.

(3) Role of Gorbachev: Gorbachev’s overzealous program of Reformation was

the biggest cause of Soviet disintegration. Gorbachev introduced ’Perestroika'
and ’Glasnost’ to reform the economy, democratise the political system,
loosen the strings of administration and bridge the gap with the West. Though
Gorbachev was right in initiating reforms, in reality when the reformation
process set in, it loosened the system and set in motion factors and forces that
few could control. Sections of Soviet Society believed that Gorbachev moved
gradually with his reforms while expectations were for a rapid rate of
development. People were disillusioned and disappointed with his methods.
The benefit of reforms was too slow. So people lost faith in him. On the other
hand, the CPSU and those who solved the system took a different view. They
felt that reformation took a long rapid path eroding their power, position and
privileges. The tug of power between ruling elites and people created a divided
opinion on the competence of Gorbachev. Even those who supported him
were highly dissatisfied as they were of the opinion that Gorbachev did not
have the competence to defend his reforms adequately. Thus, the faulty
policies of Gorbachev spelled a doom for Soviet Union leading to its
disintegration.

(4) Rise of Nationalism and Desire for Sovereignty: A major reason for
collapse of Soviet Union was the rise of nationalism and desire for sovereignty
within various Soviet Republic like Russia, Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia, etc. This proved to be culminating point in the
disintegration of Soviet Union. Opinionists are divided over this factor. The first
school of opinionists believes that feelings and urges of nationalism worked
throughout the existence of Soviet Union and an internal struggle was
inevitable in Soviet Union. Given the Vastness, size and diversity of Soviet
Union, such an opinion cannot be rejected out-rightly. The second school of
opinionists believes that the reformation started by Gorbachev speeded up the
nationalist urge and dissatisfaction to a level where it went beyond the control
of CPSU and rulers leading to the collapse of Soviet Union.

(5) Lack of Freedom: The civil liberties were absent in a highly autocratic and
rigid bureaucratic system in Soviet Union which led to widespread anger and
unrest among the people.

(6) Huge Expenses incurred on Maintenance of Satellite States within and

outside USSR: Soviet economy also suffered a setback and led to a huge
economic burden in maintaining its Satellite States in Eastern Europe and
Central Asian Republics.
CONSEQUENCES OF DISINTEGRATION OF SOVIET
UNION

The collapse of bipolarity or second world of the Soviet Union and the
communist regimes of Eastern Europe had far reaching effects and
implications. These included:

(1) End of Cold War: The biggest implication of the collapse of Soviet Union
was the end of the cold war. The ideological rivalry between socialism and
capitalism came to an end. The ideological conflict had led to the evolution of
military alliances like NATO, SEATO and CENTO led by the USA. and Warsaw
Pact led by the Soviet Union. It had triggered a hostile arms race and
accumulation of nuclear weapons by the two blocs. The end of cold war, made
the end of am race possible and establishing new peace.

(2) Change In Power Equation And Rise Of Liberalised Capitalism: The collapse
of Soviet Union led to a drastic change in the balance of power in world
politics. It further affected the ideas and institutions attached with it. The end
of cold war paved possibility of dominance either by the only 19ft superpower
U-S-A or by a group of countries where no power would dominate. Thus, the
bipolarity was to be replaced by either a unipolar world or a multipolar world.
As events took place, USA remained the sole superpower and hegemonised
the world politics in a unipolar world. With the backing of USA, liberalised
capitalism became the dominant economic system of the world. Institutions
like International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank under the dominance
of USA have become chief advisors to all these countries since they gave funds
and loans for their diversion to capitalism. The notion of liberal-capital
democracy has emerged as the most effective political and economic system of
organised life.

(3) Emergence of New States: The collapse of Soviet bloc led to the emergence
of many new countries. With their own autonomous choices and aspirations,
many of these states, especially the Baltic and East European states wanted to
join the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Along with these states, the Central Asian Republics also wanted to continue
their intimate ties with Russia while paving for closer ties with US, China,
Western Europe and other states. The collapse of bipo
bipolarity,
larity, therefore,
witnessed the emergence of new players each with their own identity, interest
and economic and political problems.
SHOCK THERAPY IN POSTCOMMUNIST REGIMES

The collapse of communism in these East European and Soviet Union was
followed by a painful transition from totalitarian socialist regimes to
democratic capitalistic regimes. This model of transition in Russia, Central Asia
and East Europe influenced by lMF and World Bank was called ’Shock Therapy’.
In its intensity and speed ’Shock Therapy’ varied from country to country
amongst the former Second World countries, but its direction and attributes
were quite similar. Under the shock therapy these countries were required to
make a total transition from socialism to capitalism. It required rooting out of
all structures evolved during the soviet period. Private ownership of property
became the dominant pattern of economy. It called for privatisation of state
assets. Collective farming was to be replaced by private farming and
agriculture was to be set on capitalist lines. This shift involved either state-
controlled socialism or capitalism and ruled out any other or third way of
transition.

’Shock Therapy’ also clarified changes in external arenas of these countries

’Development now required more trade which was possible only through the
evolution of free trade. Foreign direct investment (FDI) and Free Trade Regime
were to be twin engines of change. It necessitated deregulation, opening doors
to foreign investment and currency convertibility. Likewise, the shift in
economic system also evolved a break up of the trade alliances linked to the
Soviet bloc. Each state of this bloc is now trying to move closer to the West and
get absorbed into the Western capitalist system. The Western capitalist states
have now thus, become role models for the entire region and are controlling
the economies through various agencies and organisations.

Consequences of Shock Therapy

The ’Shock Therapy’, however, did not yield the desired results. Its effects were
as follows:
(1) Collapse of Industry: The economies of these countries including that of
Russia were ruined. In Russia, the state-controlled industrial complex collapsed
when 90% of its industries were sold to private entrepreneurs. As the
restructuring was implemented by market forces instead of government, it led
to gradual disappearance of entire industries. It was the ’largest garage sale in
industry’ as industries were undervalued and sold at throw away prices.

(2) Collapse of Food Security: The value of Russian currency, rouble declined
considerably, People lost their savings due to inflation. The collective farming
system collapsed leaving people starving for food. The old trading structure
collapsed and GDP of Russia went down. Russia had to import food as the food
security disintegrated.

(3) Social Changes: The traditional system of social security and welfare of all
came to an end. Withdrawal of government security made large sections of
society poor. Academic and intellectual manpower disintegrated as middle
class moved to the periphery of the society. Rich started controlling economic
activities. The introduction of privatisation increased the gap between rich and
poor in post Soviet States including Russia. Greater disparities of income and
wealth existed now as compared to the past.

(4) Bankruptcy: ’Shock Therapy’ made about half of Russia, 1,500 banks and
financial institutions bankrupt. Due to it the money of about 10,000 corporate
and private shareholders was lost. It even included the money of account
holders.

(5) Failure to evolve a people’s based Government: No adequate attention

was paid to development of democratic institutions in these countries. Most of
the constitutions were drafted in a hurry and almost all the countries including
Russia had a strong executive president with a relatively weak parliament. In
Central Asia, most Presidents enjoyed vast executive powers and became
totalitarian. Here we can cite the example of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Here the Presidents got themselves elected for ten years and then increased
their tenure for another ten Years. No dissent was permitted and evolution of
an independent judiciary is still to gain momentum. The dream of a responsive
and accountable democratic political system was, therefore, still an illusion in
the post-Soviet States.
References:

1-Contemporary World Politics (NCERT)

2-www.zigya.com

3-Class XII Political Science by AK Verma

4-en.wikipedia.org