Class 12 Political Chapter 1 Notes | The End of Bipolarity Important Notes
This article will provide you with Class 12 Political Chapter 1 Notes. The End of Bipolarity Important Notes are helpful for students who have opted for political science as their subject in class 12. Use these handwritten notes and make your preparation stronger.
Class 12 Political Chapter 1 Notes | The End of Bipolarity Important Notes
Political Science – Chapter 1: The End of Bipolarity notes are given below:
Introduction
- Till 1991, the world was divided into two superpower blocs – USA (capitalism) vs USSR (socialism).
- This balance of power is called bipolarity.
- The collapse of the Soviet Union (1991) ended the Cold War and changed global politics.
- It marked the beginning of unipolarity with the USA as the only superpower.
Causes of Disintegration of USSR
- Economic Stagnation – Central planning failed, low productivity, shortages of goods.
- Military Burden – Heavy spending on arms race with USA drained resources.
- Afghanistan War (1979–89) – Long, costly, and unpopular.
- Political Rigidity – No democracy, corruption, lack of reforms.
- Nationalism – Republics like Lithuania, Ukraine, Estonia demanded independence.
- Reforms of Gorbachev – Glasnost & Perestroika weakened central control.
- Loss of Legitimacy – Communist Party no longer trusted by citizens.
Table: Comparison – USA vs USSR
| Feature | USA (Capitalism) | USSR (Socialism) |
|---|---|---|
| Political system | Multiparty democracy | One-party Communist rule |
| Economy | Free market, private ownership | State-controlled economy |
| Military alliance | NATO | Warsaw Pact |
| Ideology | Capitalism, Liberal democracy | Marxism–Leninism, Socialism |
| Global influence | Western Europe, Japan, others | Eastern Europe, Cuba, etc. |
Soviet Political System
- One-party rule under Communist Party.
- Absence of free elections.
- Centralised decision-making.
- Emphasis on equality but often inefficient.
- Ideology used as control mechanism.
Soviet Economic System
- State-owned industries & farms.
- 5-Year Plans for production targets.
- Focus on heavy industries, defense, energy.
- Assured jobs, education, healthcare.
- Neglect of consumer goods → shortages.
Gorbachev’s Reforms
- Glasnost (Openness): Freedom of speech, reduced censorship.
- Perestroika (Restructuring): Economic decentralisation, limited private business.
- Impact: Instead of saving USSR, reforms accelerated collapse by exposing weaknesses.
Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
- Symbol of Cold War division between East and West Germany.
- Fall led to:
- Reunification of Germany (1990).
- Collapse of Communist governments in Eastern Europe.
- Spread of democracy.
- End of ideological divide in Europe.
Shock Therapy (Post-Soviet Reforms)
- Sudden shift from socialism → capitalism.
- Steps included privatisation, free markets, foreign investment.
- Consequences:
- Inflation & poverty increased.
- Collapse of industries.
- Rise of oligarchs (wealthy businessmen).
- Sharp inequality.
- Weakening of healthcare & education.
Consequences of Shock Therapy
| Positive Outcomes | Negative Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Opening to global economy | Rise in unemployment and poverty |
| Entry of foreign investment | Hyperinflation |
| Integration with world trade | Collapse of social welfare system |
| Political pluralism | Economic inequality and social unrest |
Challenges Faced by Russia (After 1991)
- Political instability under Boris Yeltsin.
- Separatist movements (e.g., Chechnya).
- Economic depression and inflation.
- Decline in global influence.
- Struggle for democracy and federalism.
Consequences of USSR Disintegration on World Politics
- End of Cold War.
- Collapse of bipolar world → rise of unipolarity.
- USA emerged as sole superpower.
- Spread of democracy and liberal capitalism.
- Weakening of socialist ideology globally.
- Rise of new power centres later (EU, China, India).
- NATO expanded eastwards.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1949 | Formation of NATO |
| 1955 | Formation of Warsaw Pact |
| 1979 | Soviet invasion of Afghanistan |
| 1985 | Gorbachev becomes leader of USSR |
| 1989 | Fall of Berlin Wall |
| 1990 | Reunification of Germany |
| 1991 | Disintegration of USSR, end of Cold War |
Comparison: Cold War Era vs Post-Cold War Era
| Aspect | Cold War (Before 1991) | Post-Cold War (After 1991) |
|---|---|---|
| World order | Bipolar (USA vs USSR) | Unipolar (USA dominant) |
| Alliances | NATO vs Warsaw Pact | NATO expanded, Warsaw Pact ended |
| Economy | Division (capitalism vs socialism) | Liberal democracy & globalization |
| Conflicts | Proxy wars, arms race | US dominance, regional wars |
| Europe | Divided (East vs West) | United Europe, EU integration |
🌟 Conclusion
- The disintegration of the USSR ended the bipolar world order.
- The Cold War rivalry gave way to US dominance.
- While the Soviet model collapsed, it also left lessons about the risks of over-centralization.
- The post-Cold War world saw democracy, capitalism, and globalization, but also created new inequalities and challenges.
Class 12 Political Chapter 1 Question Answer | The End of Bipolarity Important Questions
Class 12 Political Science Chapter 1 MCQ | The End of Bipolarity Important MCQ
One Comment