Chapter 2: The End of Bipolarity
1. What is bipolarity in world politics?
Bipolarity means the world was divided between two superpowers—the USA and USSR—each leading rival ideological, military, and economic blocs during the Cold War.
2. What does unipolarity mean?
Unipolarity refers to a world dominated by a single superpower, as seen after the Cold War with the United States emerging as the sole global power.
3. Define the Soviet Union’s political system.
The USSR had a one-party Communist system with centralized planning, state ownership of resources, and suppression of political dissent and opposition.
4. What led to the economic crisis in the USSR?
Centralized planning led to inefficiency, corruption, lack of innovation, and stagnation, causing shortages, inflation, and decline in living standards.
5. Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?
Gorbachev was the last President of the USSR who introduced reforms like Glasnost and Perestroika to revive the system, but they contributed to its collapse.
6. What is Glasnost?
A policy of openness allowing free discussion, criticism, and limited media freedom, Glasnost weakened Communist Party control and exposed government flaws.
7. What is Perestroika?
Perestroika means restructuring. It aimed to reform the Soviet economy by allowing some market practices, but it disrupted production and weakened central control.
8. What was the role of nationalism in the USSR’s disintegration?
Various republics demanded independence, driven by suppressed ethnic identities and aspirations, leading to political fragmentation and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
9. What is the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)?
Formed in 1991 by 12 former Soviet republics, CIS aimed for economic, military, and political cooperation after USSR’s disintegration.
10. How did the world react to the Soviet collapse?
The end of bipolarity brought global relief but also instability. It allowed US dominance, expansion of capitalism, and democratic transitions in many countries.
11. How did Eastern Europe change after 1991?
Countries like Poland and Hungary abandoned communism, adopted democracy, and moved towards market economies with mixed social and economic outcomes.
12. What happened to the Warsaw Pact?
The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance led by the USSR, dissolved in 1991 as the Soviet bloc collapsed and Eastern European countries became independent.
13. How did NATO expand after 1991?
NATO expanded eastward, including former Soviet allies, which Russia viewed as a strategic threat to its influence.
14. What impact did the USSR’s fall have on India?
India lost a key ally but maintained relations with Russia, while adapting to global capitalism and building new ties with Western countries.
15. Describe Russia’s economic transition.
Russia’s shift to capitalism caused inflation, unemployment, and economic hardship, with rapid privatization leading to wealth inequality and corruption.
16. What were the political challenges in post-Soviet Russia?
Democratic institutions were weak. Power struggles, mafia influence, and a decline in public trust plagued Russian politics in the 1990s.
17. Who succeeded Gorbachev as Russian leader?
Boris Yeltsin became the first President of Russia. He led economic reforms but struggled with internal instability and political opposition.
18. What happened to the Soviet military post-collapse?
The Red Army was divided among the new republics. Russia retained nuclear control, while military influence weakened globally.
19. What role did the US play post-Cold War?
The US emerged as the sole superpower, promoting liberal democracy, free markets, and global security through military and diplomatic dominance.
20. What were the major nuclear treaties after 1991?
START-I and START-II agreements between the US and Russia reduced nuclear arsenals, marking significant arms control efforts post-bipolarity.
21. How did China benefit from the USSR’s collapse?
China pursued economic reforms without political liberalization, avoided Soviet mistakes, and expanded its global influence rapidly.
22. How did the fall of the USSR impact global communism?
It weakened communist movements worldwide. Many countries abandoned Marxism or adopted mixed economies and democratic reforms.
23. What is shock therapy in economics?
A rapid transition from a controlled to a free-market economy, used in Russia, which caused economic chaos and increased poverty.
24. What was the role of religion in USSR’s collapse?
Suppressed religious identities re-emerged, especially in Muslim-majority republics, fueling resistance and demands for independence.
25. How did the media change in post-Soviet states?
Media became more open and critical, but also influenced by oligarchs and used for political propaganda.
26. What happened to communism in Eastern Europe?
Communist regimes were overthrown, and countries transitioned to democracy and market economies, often joining the EU and NATO.
27. How did Germany reunify?
East and West Germany united in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, ending Cold War-era division.
28. How was Ukraine affected by USSR’s collapse?
Ukraine became independent, struggled with corruption, Russian influence, and later conflict over Crimea and eastern regions.
29. What was Russia’s foreign policy after 1991?
Russia aimed to rebuild global status, protect its interests, and oppose NATO expansion, asserting influence in former Soviet areas.
30. What lessons did the world learn from the USSR’s collapse?
Authoritarianism, rigid economies, and ignoring ethnic identities can destabilize nations. Balanced reforms, democracy, and inclusiveness are key for long-term stability.