“I speak positively about others.

CLASS: XII
SECTION: AE
SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE
SESSION: 2024-25

Chapter 2 - CONTEMPORARY CENTRES OF POWER

NCERT QUESTIONS

Q1. What are the objectives of establishing regional organizations?

A1 The regional organizations are established with the following objectives:

1. To make regional development at par the fast growing global economy.
2. To accelerate economic growth through the social progress and cultural development.
3. To promote regional peace and stability based on the rule of law and the principles of United Nations Charter.
Q2 How does the geographical proximity influence the formation of regional organisations?
A2
1. Countries that are geographically close to each other generally have somewhat similar interests and needs.
Therefore, their identification becomes easier.
2. Collaboration between countries located close to each other provides the region with security and
strengthens it. The member countries collectively deal with each other and the rest of the world as well in a
collective fashion and have synchronized growth and development.
3. The countries would generally share some common historical and cultural background owing to their
geographical proximity and hence would provide a strong subject to the countries to bond on.
Q3 What are the components of the ASEAN Vision 2020?

A3

1. It is an outward-looking role for ASEAN in the international community.

2. To encourage negotiation over conflicts in the region. ASEAN has mediated the end of the Cambodian conflict,
the East Timor crisis, and meets annually to discuss East Asian cooperation.
Q4 Name the pillars and objectives of ASEAN community?

A4

1. ASEAN was established in 1967 by five countries of this region — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand — by signing the Bangkok Declaration.
2. With some of the fastest growing economies in the world, ASEAN broadened its objectives beyond the
economicand social spheres. In 2003, ASEAN moved along the path of the EU by agreeing to establish an
ASEAN Communitycomprising three pillars-

1. ASEAN Security Community-

• ASEAN security community is based on the conviction that outstanding territorial disputes should not
escalateinto armed confrontation.
• By 2003, ASEAN had several agreements in place by which member states promised to uphold
peace,neutrality, cooperation, non-interference and respect for national differences and sovereign rights.
• The ASEAN Regional Forum which was established in 1994 is the organisation that carries out
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coordinationof security and foreign policy.

2. ASEAN Economic Community

• ASEAN Economic Community was and still remains principally an economic association. While the ASEAN
region as a whole is a much smaller economy compared to the US, the EU and Japan, it’s economy is growing
much faster than all these.
• The objective of the ASEAN economic community to create common market and production base within
ASEAN state and to aid social and economic development in the region. The economic community would
liketo improve the existing dispute settlement mechanism to resolve economic disputes.
• ASEAN has focused on creating a Free Trade Area (FTA) for investment, labour and services. The US and China
have already moved fast to negotiate FTAs with ASEAN.

3. ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

• ASEAN is rapidly growing into very important regional organisation. Its vision 2020 has defined an outward
looking role for ASEAN in the international community. This builds on the existing ASEAN policy to
encouragenegotiations over conflicts in the region.
• ASEAN has mediated the end of the Cambodian conflict, the East Timor crisis. It meets annually to discuss
East Asian Cooperation.

Q5 In what ways does the present Chinese economy differ from its command economy?
A5
1. In the command economy, its industrial production was not growing fast enough, international trade was
minimaland per capita income was very low.

 The Chinese leadership took major policy decisions in the 1970s. China ended its political and economic
isolation with the establishment of relations with the United States in 1972.

 Premier Zhou Enlai proposed the ‘four modernizations’(agriculture, industry, science and technology and
military) in 1973.

 By 1978, the then leader Deng Xiaoping announced the ‘open door’ policy and economic reforms in China.
The policy was to generate higher productivity by investments of capital and technology from abroad.

 The privatisation of agriculture in 1982 was followed by the privatisation of industry in 1998.

 Trade barriers were eliminated only in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) where foreign investors could set up
enterprises.

 China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 has been a further step in its opening to the outside world. The country
plans to deepen its integration into the world economy and shape the future world economic order.

The new economic policies helped the Chinese economy to break from stagnation. Privatisation of agriculture led
to a remarkable rise in agricultural production and rural incomes. High personal savings in the rural economy lead
toan exponential growth in rural industry. The Chinese economy, including both industry and agriculture, grew at
a faster rate. The new trading laws and the creation of Special Economic Zones led to a phenomenal rise in foreign
trade. China has become the most important destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) anywhere in the
world.

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Q6 How did the European countries resolve their post second World War issues. Briefly outline the attempts
that led to the formation of European Union.
A6 After the end of Second World War in 1945, the European States confronted the ruin of their economies and
the destruction of assumptions and structures on which Europe had been founded.
European countries resolved their Post Second World War problems in the following manner:
1. Under the ‘Marshall Plan’ the USA provided financial help to revive European economy. The US also
createda new collective security structure under NATO.
2. Under the Marshall Plan, the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) was established
in 1948 to channel aid to the west European states. It became a forum where the western European states
beganto cooperate on trade and economic issues.
3. The Council of Europe, established in 1949, was another step forward in political cooperation.
4. The process of economic integration of European capitalist countries proceeded step by step to the
formation of the European Economic Community in 1957.
5. This process acquired a political dimension with the creation of the European Parliament.
6. The collapse of the Soviet bloc put Europe on a fast track and resulted in the establishment of the
EuropeanUnion in 1992
7. The foundation was thus laid for a common foreign and security policy, cooperation on justice and
home affairs, and the creation of a single currency.

Q7 Why is the EU considered a highly influential regional organisation in the economic, political and military
fields?
A7 The EU has economic, political and diplomatic and military influence and has emerged as highly influential
organisation. This can be justified as per below given points:
Economic Influence:
 The EU has world’s biggest economy with a GDP of more than $12 trillion in 2005 slightly larger than that of the
United States.
 Its currency Euro can pose a threat to the dominance of US Dollar.
 Its share of world trade is three times larger than that of United States allowing it to be more influentialin
the trade disputes with US and China.
 Its economic power gives its influence over its closest neighbours as well as in Asia and Africa.
 The EU functions as an important bloc in World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Political Influence:
 Two members of the EU, Britain and France hold permanent seats in Security Council to influence UN policies.The
EU includes several non- permanent members.
 EU countries in UNSC (Security Council) has enabled EU to influence some US policies such as the current US
position on Iran’s nuclear programme.
3. European Union use of diplomacy, economic investments and negotiations rather than coercion and military
force has been effective as in the case of its dialogue with China and human rights and environmental
degradations.

Military force:
 The EUs combined armed forces are second largest in world.
 Its total spending on defence is second to the US.
 Its two important members Britain and France also experience nuclear arsenals of 550 nuclear warheads.
 The EU is world’s second most important source of space and communication technology.
 As supranational organisation, the EU is able to intervene in economic, political and social areas.
(Britain left the EU at the end of 31 January 2020 – Brexit. European Union currently has 27 countries.)

Q8 Identify the contentious issues between China and India. How could these be resolved for greater
cooperation? Give your suggestions.
A8
1. After India regained its independence from Britain, and China expelled the foreign powers, there was hope
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that both would come together to shape the future of the developing world and of Asia particularly. For a
brief while, the slogan of ‘Hindi-Chini bhai bhai’ was popular. However, military conflict over a border
dispute between the two countries marred that hope.
2. However military conflict over border disputes between both the countries marred that hope, various
contentious issues arose in Indo-China relations:
 In 1962, military conflict over a border dispute of Mac Mohan Line resulted an unwarranted claim by China
which lies now in Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin regions of Ladakh.
 Differences arose from Chinese takeover of Tibet in 1950 which was protested by India against China.
 After Panchsheel, attack by China on India in 1962, to occupy larger territories of India, created a
humiliation.
 China’s assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear programme also created differences.
 China’s military relations with Bangladesh and Myanmar were viewed as hostile to Indian interests.
8. All the above-mentioned differences/ disputes could be resolved for greater cooperation. Both the countries
shouldmake some more efforts to revive harmonious attitude between themselves. Both the countries should
move hand-in-hand to fight against terrorism, nuclear race and economic disparities. Both the countries
should develop mutualunderstanding and respect. Hence, both of them have signed agreements on cultural
exchange and cooperation inscience and technology.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

Q1. What was Marshall Plan?

A1 European integration after 1945 was aided by the Cold War. America extended massive financial help for reviving
Europe’s economy under what was called the ‘Marshall Plan’.
Q2 What are the limitations to the ability of European Union?
A2
1. As a supranational organisation, the EU is able to intervene in economic, political and social areas. But in
many areas its member states have their own foreign relations and defence policies that are often at odds
with each other.
 Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair was America’s partner in the Iraq invasion, and many of the EU’s newer
members made up the US led ‘coalition of the willing’ whereas Germany and France opposed American
policy.
 There is also a deep-seated ‘Euroskepticism’ in some parts of Europe about the EU’s integrationist agenda.
 Britain’s former prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, kept the UK out of the European Market
 Denmark and Sweden have resisted the Maastricht Treaty and the adoption of the euro, the
commonEuropean currency.
6. All this limits the ability of the EU to act in matters of foreign relations and defence.
Q3 What does the European Union flag stand for?

The circle of gold stars stands for

solidarity and harmony between the
peoples of Europe. It has twelve stars, as
the number twelve is traditionally the
symbol of perfection, completeness and
unity.

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Q4. What were the problems faced by South-East Asian counties post second world war?
A4 At the end of the war, it confronted problems of nation-building, the ravages of poverty and economic
backwardness and the pressure to align with one great power or another during the Cold War.
Q5 What was India’s “Look East Policy”?

A5 India’s Look East Policy since 1991 has led to greater economic interaction with East Asian nations viz ASEAN,
China,Japan, South Korea. Bangladesh Supports India in its Look East Policy

Q6 What is the significance of ASEAN flag?

In the ASEAN logo, the ten stalks of paddy (rice) represent the ten
Southeast Asian countries bound together in friendship and solidarity.
The circle symbolises the unity ofASEAN.

Q7. Why ASEAN was established? What were its objectives?

A7 ASEAN was established in 1967 by five countries of this region — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand — by signing the Bangkok Declaration.

The objectives of ASEAN were-

1. To accelerate economic growth and through that ‘social progress and cultural development’.
2. To promote regional peace and stability based on the rule of law and the principles of the United
NationsCharter.
Q8. Assess the key features of India’s foreign policy towards ASEAN.
A8
1. During the Cold War Years Indian foreign policy did not pay adequate attention to ASEAN.
2. But in recent years, India has tried to make amends. It signed trade agreements with three ASEAN
members, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Q9. How did relations improve after the conflict of 1962 between India and China?
A9
1. Since the end of the Cold War, there have been significant changes in India– China relations. Their relations
now have a strategic as well as an economic dimension. Both view themselves as rising powers in global
politics, and both would like to play a major role in the Asian economy and politics.
2. Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to China in December 1988 provided the impetus for an improvement in India– China
relations. Since then both governments have taken measures to contain conflict and maintain peace and
tranquility’ on the border.
3. They have also signed agreements on cultural exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and
opened four border posts for trade.
4. Bilateral trade between India and China has increased from $338 million in 1992 to more than $84 billion in
2017.
5. Both countries have agreed to cooperate with each other in areas that could otherwise create conflict
between the two, such as bidding for energy deals abroad.

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6. At the global level, India and China have adopted similar policies in international economic institutions like
the WorldTrade Organisation.

Q10 How is Japan emerging as a contemporary source of power?

A10
1. Japan has a shortage of natural resources and hence has to import most of its raw materials, despite developing
after the end of the Second World War. Japan was the only nation that suffered the wrath caused by the
explosion of nuclear bombs
2. Japan took membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1964
3. It was the third-largest economy in the world in 2017, the 11th most populous nation globally, and the only Asian
nation to have membership in G-7 countries
4. Contributing almost 10% of the total, Japan is the 2nd most significant contributor to the regular budget of the
UN.
5. Japan has been a Strategic Security Partner of the US since 1951
6. Japan is the seventh-largest globally, though they spend only 1% of their GDP on military expenditure
7. “The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as
means of settling international disputes.”, says Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
8. Japan has the world's third-largest economy, having achieved remarkable growth in the second half of the
20th Century after the devastation of World War Two.
9. Its role in the international community is considerable. It is a major aid donor, and a source of global capital
and credit.
10. Japan's relations with its neighbours are still heavily influenced by the legacy of Japanese actions before
and during World War Two. Japan has found it difficult to accept and atone for its treatment of the citizens
of countries it occupied.
Q10 How is South Korea emerging as a contemporary source of power?

A11

1. South Korea emerged as a centre of power in Asia. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, it rapidly developed
into an economic power, which is termed as “Miracle on the Han River”. Signalling its all-round
development, South Korea became a Member of the OECD in 1996.
2. In 2017, its economy is the eleventh largest in the world and its military expenditure is the tenth largest.
According to the Human Development Report 2016, the HDI rank of South Korea is 18.
3. The major factors responsible for its high human development include “successful land reforms, rural
development, extensive human resources development and rapid equitable economic growth.”
4. Other factors are export orientation, strong redistribution policies, public infrastructure development,
effective institutions and governance.
5. India and South Korea have enjoyed a cordial relationship that has been strengthened by various
agreements, which has signified their growing cultural and commercial ties. Brands of South Korean origin
like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai have been highly successful in India in their respective segments.

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