The Soviet System

The Soviet System

• The Soviet Union's formation in 1917 followed Russia's Socialist Revolution
• Russia's Socialist Revolution embraced socialist ideals, contrasting capitalism and advocating for an egalitarian society
• Aims included abolishing private property
• Sought a society rooted in equality principles
• The Communist Party was central; no other political parties or opposition were permitted
• The state planned and controlled the economy
• After World War II, Eastern European nations freed from fascist control fell under USSR dominion and were restructured mirroring the USSR.
• Countries aligned with the USSR formed the Second World or 'socialist bloc'
• The USSR led the socialist bloc, unified by the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance
• The Soviet Union rose to prominence post World War II
• The USSR boasted extensive energy resources, including oil, iron, steel, machinery production, and proficient transportation connecting distant regions
• The Soviet state provided basic necessities like healthcare, education, childcare, and welfare, ensuring a minimum standard of living
• The Soviet system became bureaucratic and authoritarian, curtailing citizens' freedoms
• Russia, while nominally one of fifteen republics in the USSR, held dominant power, leading to neglect and suppression in other regions
• The Soviet Union lagged in technology, infrastructure, and political and economic fulfillment compared to the West
• The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 further weakened the Soviet system
• The Soviet economy deteriorated in the late 1970s and stagnated

Gorbachev and Disintegration of Soviet Union: Causes and Consequences

• Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985
• Reforms were deemed essential to keep the USSR competitive in information and technology
• Gorbachev's attempts to normalize relations with the West and reform the Soviet Union yielded unforeseen outcomes.
• Opposition to Gorbachev's economic, political reforms, and democratization arose from within the Communist Party
• A coup in 1991 bolstered Communist hardliners and was opposed by Boris Yeltsin
• Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus declared the USSR disbanded in December 1991, under Yeltsin's leadership
• Post-Soviet republics embraced capitalism and democracy
• Russia assumed the Soviet Union's successor status
• Internal weaknesses in Soviet politics and economics led to the system's downfall
• The Soviet System bore a heavy economic burden, allocating substantial resources to nuclear and military capabilities and supporting satellite states in Eastern Europe
• The Soviet Union faced administrative and political stagnation
• The desire for sovereignty and the rise of nationalism within republics triggered the USSR's disintegration
• The dissolution of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War
• World power dynamics shifted, altering the influence of ideas and institutions and the U.S. emerged as the sole superpower
• Liberal democracy became a leading model for political organization
• The end of the Soviet bloc led to the creation of new nations

Shock Therapy and its Consequences

• Communism's collapse initiated a shift from authoritarian socialism to democratic capitalism in numerous countries
• The transition model, shaped by the World Bank and IMF, was termed 'Shock Therapy'
• A complete shift to a capitalist economy was required when embracing shock therapy, eliminating any Soviet-era structures
• Shock therapy entailed a significant shift in the external orientation of economies
• Shock therapy devastated economies and brought widespread hardship
• Russia's state-controlled industrial sector collapsed, with about 90% of industries privatized
• Entire industries virtually disappeared due to shock therapy , referred to as 'the largest garage sale in history'
• The Russian Ruble's dramatic decline and high inflation eroded people's savings
• Poverty surged as government subsidies were withdrawn
• Privatization widened disparities

Tensions and Conflicts and Arab Springs

• Many former Soviet Republics are susceptible to conflicts, marked by civil wars and insurgencies
• Violent secessionist movements occurred in Chechnya and Dagestan, Russian republics
• Tajikistan, situated in Central Asia, experienced a civil war that lasted a decade, concluding in 2001
• Separatist sentiments arose among Armenians in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh province, seeking unification with Armenia
• The demand for independence from two provinces in Georgia sparked a civil war
• The Central Asian Republics are rich in hydrocarbon resources, spurring economic growth.
• Czechoslovakia peacefully divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Eastern Europe
• Yugoslavia disintegrated after 1991, with Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina declaring independence
• The ‘Arab Spring,’ a surge in pro-democracy movements, began in 2009 in West Asia
• Tunisia sparked the Arab Spring, initiating a public revolt against corruption, unemployment, and poverty, which evolved into a political movement opposing autocratic rule
• Pro-democracy demands that began in Tunisia spread across Arab countries in West Asia
• Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, in power since 1979, was overthrown due to extensive democratic protests
• The Arab Spring's influence extended to Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, and Syria, spurring democratic movements

European Union

• Post World War II, European leaders faced the 'Question of Europe' concerning the continent's future
• World War II shattered existing assumptions and structures of European state relations
• The Cold War facilitated European integration post-1945
• The 'Marshall Plan' saw America offer significant financial aid to revive Europe's economy
• The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) was established in 1948 under the Marshall Plan to distribute aid in Western Europe
• As a result of the OEEC, Western European nations started collaborating on trade and economic matters
• The Council of Europe was founded in 1949, marking political cooperation progress
• Economic integration among European capitalist countries culminated in forming the European Economic Community in 1957
• The Soviet bloc's dissolution accelerated European integration, leading to the European Union's creation in 1992
• The EU's foundation included a unified foreign and security approach, legal and domestic cooperation, and the Euro as a single currency.
• The European Union aims to broaden collaboration, integrating new members, especially from the former Soviet bloc
• The Euro serves as the European Union's currency
• The European Union's economic strength exerts influence on nearby countries in Asia and Africa
• The European Union is a key player in international organizations including the World Trade Organization (WTO)
• Great Britain and France, both EU members, hold permanent seats on the UN Security Council
• The combined military forces of the European Union rank as the world's second largest
• EU members often diverge in their foreign relations and defense strategies

ASEAN, SAARC and BRICS

• Southeast Asian countries experienced the repercussions of repeated European and Japanese colonialism before and during World War II
• Post World War II, Southeast Asia grappled with nation-building, poverty, economic backwardness, and pressures to align with major Cold War powers
• Efforts for unity such as the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement failed to establish informal cooperation
• ASEAN was established in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand
• The Bangkok Declaration marked the beginning of ASEAN
• ASEAN sought to boost economic growth, social progress, and cultural development
• ASEAN aims to promote regional peace and stability under the rule of law and the principles of the UN Charter
• 'ASEAN Way' refers to ASEAN countries' informal , cooperative interactions
• As ASEAN's economies grew it expanded goals beyond economics and society
• The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), founded in 1994, coordinates foreign policy and security
• The objectives of the ASEAN Economic Community include an ASEAN common market and production base, and regional social and economic development, and the creation of an FTA for investment, labour, and services
• ASEAN Vision 2020 defines ASEAN's outward-facing role in international affairs
• India has recently increased its engagement with ASEAN after inadequate attention during the Cold War
• ASEAN relies on consultation and interaction policies with member states, dialogue partners, and non-regional organizations
• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was founded upon signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, December 8, 1985
• The member states of SAARC are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
• The organization fosters economic and regional advancement
• SAARC has diplomatic ties with the UN as an observer and links with the EU
• The first SAARC summit took place in Dhaka December 7-8, 1985, hosted by Bangladesh's President Hussain Ershad
• BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
• BRIC's founding occurred in 2006 in Russia
• BRIC became BRICS with South Africa’s inclusion in 2009
• BRICS members influence regional dynamics; all belong to the G20
• BRICS nations have had annual formal summits since 2009
• BRICS nations engage in bilateral relations based on equality, non-interference, and mutual benefits
• Nations including Afghanistan, Argentina, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey are interested in joining BRICS, and Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Greece have shown interest as well
• All BRICS members are part of the UN Security Council, where Russia and China possess veto power as permanent members while the others are non-permanent
• BRICS aims to distribute and cooperate to create mutual financial gain, avoid interfering any nation's internal affairs and create mutual equality
• In 2020 Brazil held the 12th BRICS conference, chaired by President Sergei Ryabkov

India’s Relations with Russia and Israel

• India and Russia have trusted, mutually beneficial relations rooted in history
• 21st century India is progressively becoming a global power
• The world is witnessing India's multidimensional rise regarding the economy, culture, strategy, and population of 1.3 billion
• India's military self-sufficiency includes indigenous nuclear technology and the "Make in India" initiative boosts technology and science
• India and Russia retained relations and share a special bond after the Soviet Union's breakup
• Diplomatic relations began before Indian independence, April 13, 1947
• Following independence, India focused on economic self-sufficiency through heavy industry investment
• The cordial relationship with India beginning in the 1950s reflected Soviet attempts to foster relations with Third World countries, beginning with visits by Jawaharlal Nehru in June 1955 and Nikita Khrushchev in fall 1955
• The Soviet Union assisted eight of sixteen heavy industry projects during India's second Five-Year Plan, including establishing IIT Bombay
• The Indo-Russian strategic partnership involves politics, defence, civil nuclear energy, anti-terrorism cooperation, and space
• Both are members of international organizations and closely address shared national interests including the UN, BRICS, and G20
• Russia seeks observer status in SAARC, where India is a founding member
• Russia ranks as the world's 11th largest economy, supported by its mineral, gas, and natural resource reserves
• The Treaty of Peace and Friendship in August 1971 was a key moment, a manifestation of shared goals that strengthened regional and global peace goals for both India and the Soviet Union
• Post-Soviet Union, India and Russia signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in January 1993 plus a Military-Technical Cooperation agreement in 1994.
• Israel has emerged as influential in the 21st century due to its economy, technology, defence, and intelligence
• India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, resulting in growth across sectors
• The key to increased relationships between India and Israel lies in defense and security
• High-level exchanges and ministerial visits expanded collaboration in trade, agriculture, culture, education, and security
• Ancient traditions and culture define India in Israel, and India is seen as an attractive tourist destination

China, Japan & South Korea

• Pre-Western imperialism, India and China were the main powers in Asia
• China utilized its tributary system to control its borders.
• Indian empires expanded their influence.
• Throughout the twentieth century, creating a foreign policy was difficult when India and China encountered each other.
• Following independence, disputes between India and China arose from China’s annexation of Tibet in 1950 and from the Sino-Indian boundary.
• The 1962 border conflict between China and India centered on claims in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh’s Aksai Chin.
• India’s military defeats in the 1962 conflict caused long-term effects on Indo-China relations.
• In the 1970's China's policy gradually became pragmatic and less ideological.
• Rajiv Gandhi took a visit to China which drove improvement in Indo-China relations.
• Both China and India have similar perspectives on international economic organizations like the World Trade Organization
• India’s 1998 nuclear tests caused some greater engagement
• Japan is the only Asian member of G-7 and became a member of the OECD in 1964.
• Lacking natural resources, Japan imports the majority of its raw materials and remains as the only nation to have been devastated by nuclear explosions.
• "The Japanese people forever renounce war" as stated in Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution a
• South Korea: rapidly developed economics between 1960s-1980s and became a member of OECD in 1996
• High human development levels are mainly attributed to “rapid fair economic success” public facilities and governance/
• By contrast, Japan is a chain of four main Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Hokkaido islands.
• In general, Japan has very few natural resources and imports most of its raw materials. Japan is prone to geographical restraints

South Asia

• The term ‘South Asia’ includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
• The linguistic, cultural, and social unity of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Himalayas, and Bay of Bengal gives South Asia a unique sub continental identity
• In South Asia, political systems are not always the same
• India and Sri Lanka have maintained democracies after their independence despite challenges
• Although Indian democracy has limitations it has remained independent
• Both civilian/military governments have been seen in Bangladesh and Pakistan
• During the post-Cold War era, Pakistan experienced democratic governments but then faced a military coup in 1999, until 2006, still existed as a constitutional monarchy
• In 2006, popular rising promoted the restoration of democracy limiting the king
• Multiparty democracy transition plans have been initiated by the monarch in Bhutan
• The Maldives were a Sultanate until a republic state with a presidential government structure changed and strengthened as some opposition parties became legalized
• All countries in South Asia aspire to be democratic despite mixed past experience

The Military and Democracy in Pakistan and Bangladesh

• General Ayub Khan took administration after Pakistan adopted constitution, later getting himself elected.
• Pakistani military led by Yahya Khan took control following Ayub Khan, and during Yahya’s rule, Pakistan experienced the Bangladesh war that then emerged Bangladesh
• Once-elected government then occurred 1971-1977 led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but his Bhutto leadership was removed by Zia-Ul-Haq in 1977.
• Democratic Government arose once again in 1988 led by Benazir Bhutto but once again 1999 and army stepped in when Pervez Sharif removed Prime Minister Sharif
• Multiple circumstances caused political instability in Pakistan after Sheikh Rahman led popular struggle to fight dominance, and 1971 an independent nation became available after Rahman got constitution amended shift from parliamentary to presidential
• Mujibur Rahman banned every party but the Awami League, the assassination took place in 1975 caused by military opposition. then Zia h. Rahman won 1979 by forming the Bengal Nationalist Party
• Rahman was also assassinated and led H.M Ershad to follow causing his elections in 1990 where representatives gained elections

Monarchy and Democracy in Nepal and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka

• Nepal was Hindu kingdom as a constitutional monarchy for many years and became democratized in 1990 following a movement.
• The Nepal Maoists of the 90's where effective which led the monarch end Nepal’s democracy with government and king dismisses.
• Protests occurred wide spread and largely led by non violence with social activists and allies
• Since 1948 the forces that represented Sinhala community controlled Sri Lankas forces while Tamils migrated where military forces fought for an independent country in 1983 and in 1987 the government of Sri Lanka had involvement with a peacekeeping force from until its withdrawal in 1989

Conflicts and Efforts of Peace in South Asia

• Soon after independence division got both Pakistan and India in conflict and wars failed until 1971 although the division remained until today as both have water issues
• Both India and Pakistan aren’t in agreement over certain boundary division like Kutch and governmental difference for different issues river share. Often, there are warm relations India has with Maldives or Bhutan and enjoys special relations and scientific/trade cooperation with Bhutan
• But overall, due to conflict Sri Lanka has made high levels of human recorded levels as one and now successful controllers

Evolution of UN and its Reforms

• The UN is the single most significant international organization
• As a source of humanity’s peace and progress
• UN facilitates international cooperation and helps resolve war
• The UN’s importance relates to its resolutions of international disparities
• It is non state run as governments have total control
• International Organizations resolve their international affairs smoothly as a result, the UN was created for various countries as a means of peace through the UN charger with General has representatives and the security which has 5 permanent members China and US who all report to the General. War or peace get delivered to the Security who seek to improve as needed for peace
• Council is most focused on peace

Processes and Key Agencies

• Three main issues were brought to the UN General Assembly which made the General make reform and the new Council with governments seeing advantages and disadvantages
• In summary, there's is 5 permanent members that veto however the are to be elected members
• UNESCO makes efforts on cultural sciences/ communication.ICEF puts emergencies all the UNICEF does is help UNICEF has headquarters in New York. ILO has 10th of 19

Significance of the UN in a Unipolar World

• In the UN, changes would allow them to cope due to US cannot be easily checked. The organization could allow power in order to gain influence without world would. In that case it helps

Definition of Terrorism

• There is not one single definition for terrorism
• Terrorism is an activity to strike terror among public to achieve a goal. and terrorists target broad governments and seek to gain claim for power for reasons. There is terrorism caused by non-state people. A threat can cause insecurity only until it damages core traditions and if not there’s no worry

Global Environmental Norms and Global Commons

Global warming happens as a general increased increase and warming which means that is being lost glacial that is why we are getting higher. They are caused due to man-made activities, volcano and natural activities all causes as a result and South versus South world when they disagreed after a summit

Environmental Issues and Movements and Resource Geopolitics to

• There is Kyoto's and SAARC countries for higher voice
• There are ways to conserve and act
• Fossil fuels wont run for longer as there is non unlimited numbers
• They include mega actions all take action among them

Globalisation

• The concept flows and has political and economic value but can have negative effect as a lot are taken advantage of which means liberal policies are needed and inventions that’s why it leads to homogenization

India

• Indian was an exporter of trade then had it to reform its ways of life to have its rich is for now better since its better than a long ways for it to progress

Challenges of Nation Building

• Jawaharlal Nehru had destiny, there was Pakistan who was partitioned which all led to killings while Ganhdi put a stop that that is why Patel’s tried integrating everything and organized that the new States had principles since 1956

Planned Development

Modernization and scientific rationality caused the idea and Kumarappa Was a economist with Choudary who followed the five principles

National Emergency

• Relationships amid judicials in government was intense. Garibi didn't help economic situations the same way that the state went bankrupt
• Narayan united India, the Allahabad party in congress lost and created an environment where emergency meant detention of officers

Politics after the National Emergency

Elections in government was for democracy to be taken power by jagavan however and then Nehru meant they’re was now some way to have power for the public and equality

Regional

• India was now having the non-violent people. Gandhi signed something which meant people didn't merged and they must be allowed for diversity and it caused an end division was now possible

Policy

The policies by and large must be with peace with countries and and there wasn’t issues in government as they were meant by the people and didn't allow as it was their right