🧾 Class 12 Political Science – Course A

Sample Paper (CBSE Pattern)

Chapter 1: The End of Bipolarity

(Based on NCERT + CBSE 2025–26 syllabus)
Marks: 50 | Time: 2 Hours

🟩 SECTION – A (Very Short Answer Questions – 1 mark each)

Q1. What was the Soviet System?
Answer:
The Soviet System was a socialist political and economic model based on central planning, public ownership, and one-party rule under the Communist Party. It aimed at social equality and abolition of private property.

Q2. Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?
Answer:
Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the USSR who introduced reforms like Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring) to modernize the Soviet system in 1985.

Q3. When did the Soviet Union disintegrate?
Answer:
The Soviet Union officially disintegrated on 26 December 1991, resulting in the emergence of 15 independent republics, including Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.

Q4. What is meant by Shock Therapy?
Answer:
Shock Therapy refers to the rapid transition from a socialist economy to a capitalist economy after the collapse of the USSR through privatization, price liberalization, and withdrawal of state control.

Q5. Name two countries that emerged after the disintegration of the USSR.
Answer:
Russia and Ukraine.

Q6. What were the two major reforms introduced by Gorbachev?
Answer:

• Glasnost: Political openness and freedom of speech.
• Perestroika: Economic restructuring and limited market reforms.

Q7. What was the major reason for the disintegration of the Soviet Union?
Answer:
Economic inefficiency, political rigidity, and rise of nationalism among constituent republics led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Q8. What do you mean by Bipolarity?
Answer:
Bipolarity refers to a world divided between two superpowers – the USA and the USSR – during the Cold War (1945–1991).

Q9. What is meant by Unipolar World?
Answer:
A Unipolar World is one where there is only one dominant power. After 1991, the USA emerged as the only superpower, marking the beginning of a unipolar world.

Q10. Name any one impact of Shock Therapy on Russia.
Answer:
It led to high inflation, unemployment, and increased poverty.

🟩 SECTION – B (Short Answer Questions – 3 marks each)

Answer each question in about 80–100 words.

Q11. Explain any three features of the Soviet political system.
Answer:

1. One-Party Rule: The Communist Party controlled political power; no opposition was allowed.
2. Central Planning: Economy was controlled by the government through five-year plans.
3. Welfare Orientation: Focus on free education, healthcare, and employment for all citizens.

Q12. Write any three reasons for the failure of the Soviet System.
Answer:

1. Economic Inefficiency: Lack of competition reduced productivity.
2. Political Repression: Citizens had no political freedom.
3. Overextension: Huge military expenditure drained resources from social sectors.

Q13. Mention any three political consequences of the disintegration of the USSR.
Answer:

1. End of Cold War: Bipolar world changed to unipolar with US dominance.
2. Formation of New Nations: 15 independent countries emerged.
3. Emergence of New Power Structures: Russia replaced USSR but lost its superpower status.

Q14. How did Gorbachev’s reforms accelerate the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Answer:

1. Reforms created confusion and reduced central control.
2. Republics used openness to demand independence.
3. Public protests and weak political authority led to fragmentation.

Q15. Explain the term “Shock Therapy” in post-communist countries.
Answer:
Shock Therapy was the sudden shift from socialism to capitalism. It involved:

• Privatization of industries,
• Opening markets to foreign investment,
• Withdrawal of state subsidies.
  This caused inflation and unemployment but aimed to modernize economies.

Q16. What were the social consequences of Shock Therapy?
Answer:

1. Rise in Poverty: Many lost jobs due to privatization.
2. Health Crisis: Reduced government spending on welfare.
3. Social Inequality: Wealth concentrated in few hands.

Q17. Explain the term “Glasnost” and its impact.
Answer:
Glasnost means openness. It allowed free discussion and criticism of government policies. However, it led to the exposure of corruption and growing demand for independence by republics.

Q18. What were the major tensions and conflicts after the collapse of the USSR?
Answer:

1. Ethnic Conflicts: Chechnya, Georgia, and Ukraine faced civil wars.
2. Border Issues: Disputes between new republics.
3. Power Struggles: Russia and NATO rivalry increased.

🟩 SECTION – C (Long Answer Questions – 5 marks each)

Answer each question in about 150–200 words.

Q19. Examine the major causes of the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Answer:
The disintegration of the USSR was due to:

1. Economic Weakness: Centralized planning created inefficiency.
2. Political Rigidity: Communist Party monopoly alienated citizens.
3. Ethnic Nationalism: Republics demanded autonomy.
4. Costly Arms Race: Competition with the USA drained the economy.
5. Reform Failure: Gorbachev’s reforms destabilized instead of strengthening the system.
   Thus, multiple internal and external pressures led to the breakup in 1991.

Q20. Explain the features of Shock Therapy and its impact on Russia.
Answer:
Features:

1. Rapid transition from socialism to capitalism.
2. Privatization of state assets.
3. Opening to global trade and investment.
   Impact:

• Economic crisis and hyperinflation.
• Rise of oligarchs controlling major industries.
• Decline in living standards.
• Political instability and corruption.
  Hence, the sudden transition created economic chaos instead of prosperity.

Q21. Discuss the major tensions and conflicts in post-communist states.
Answer:

1. Ethnic Conflicts: Chechnya’s violent independence struggle.
2. Border Issues: Ukraine–Russia tensions over Crimea.
3. Civil Wars: Yugoslavia and Bosnia saw bloody wars.
4. NATO Expansion: Created mistrust between Russia and the West.
5. Energy Disputes: Control of oil and gas pipelines became strategic tools.
   These conflicts showed that political freedom without stability led to prolonged unrest.

Q22. Describe the changes in world politics after the end of the Cold War.
Answer:

1. End of Bipolarity: USA became the sole superpower.
2. Rise of Globalization: Free trade and information revolution spread.
3. Emergence of New Powers: China and EU gained global influence.
4. UN’s Role Expanded: Focus shifted to peacekeeping and development.
5. Regional Conflicts: Local wars and terrorism replaced superpower rivalry.
   Thus, the world entered a new unipolar and interconnected era.

Q23. Assess the significance of Gorbachev’s reforms for the Soviet system.
Answer:

1. Gorbachev aimed to modernize socialism, not destroy it.
2. Glasnost introduced political openness; Perestroika introduced economic flexibility.
3. The reforms exposed inefficiency and encouraged criticism.
4. Political liberalization reduced party control.
5. Ironically, these reforms triggered disintegration rather than revival.
   Therefore, Gorbachev’s vision of reform transformed into the end of the Soviet state.

🟩 SECTION – D (Case-Based / Source-Based Questions – 6 marks each)

Answer in about 150–200 words.

Q24.
Read the passage and answer the questions below:

“After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, many new nations emerged, each struggling to find its identity. Russia inherited the Soviet seat in the UN Security Council but could not maintain the same level of influence.”

(i) Why did Russia lose its influence after 1991?
(ii) Mention any two challenges faced by new republics.
(iii) How did this change affect global power structure?

Answer:
(i) Russia lost influence due to economic crisis, political instability, and the end of communist dominance.
(ii) New republics faced challenges like establishing democracy and stabilizing economies.
(iii) The global power balance shifted toward the USA, making it the only superpower.

Q25.
“Shock Therapy led to mass privatization and liberalization in Russia but also caused widespread hardship.”

(i) What was the aim of Shock Therapy?
(ii) Explain one positive and one negative effect.
(iii) Why is Shock Therapy criticized?

Answer:
(i) Aim: To introduce capitalism and integrate with the global economy.
(ii) Positive: Market reforms opened foreign trade.
Negative: Poverty and unemployment increased sharply.
(iii) It is criticized because it ignored the social cost and widened inequality.

🟩 SECTION – E (Value-Based / Map Question – 5 marks)

Q26.
“The end of bipolarity gave rise to new values and global challenges.”
Explain any five lessons the world learned after the end of bipolarity.

Answer:

1. Peaceful Coexistence: Conflicts can end through dialogue, not war.
2. Economic Cooperation: Globalization became a shared goal.
3. Democratic Governance: Freedom and participation are essential.
4. Human Rights Awareness: New focus on individual rights and equality.
5. Environmental Cooperation: Global issues like climate change need unity.

🧭 Conclusion:

This sample paper covers conceptual + analytical questions for CBSE exams and helps in writing balanced answers.
It develops understanding of Soviet politics, global transformation, and post–Cold War world order.