NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
World History
Q1. Was the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 the result of a failure of the ideals of the Russian Revolution? Evaluate. 10M
Introduction
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of political events in Russia, involving the overthrow of the system of autocracy, resulting in the establishment of the Soviet power under the control of the Bolshevik party. This eventually led to the establishment of the Soviet Union, which lasted until its dissolution in 1991.
The dissolution of the USSR led to the establishment of 15 new countries with Russia as the leader. The collapse of the USSR has often been heralded in the West as a triumph of capitalism and democracy.
Body:
Failure of USSR Model; – Yes it was a failure of the ideals of the Russian revolution
- Ideals of the Russian revolution: – the main ideals of the Russian revolution were
-
- Establishment of a socialist form of government
- Liberating the proletariat and building a workers’ state that practised equality.
- Right of unions to organise and strike
- Economic weakness; – The dissolution of the USSR was a failure of this model of development because
- Over-centralised economy;- The economic system was over-centralized and high restrictions were put on businesses by the State which resulted in continued inefficiency
- Low standard of living; – Slow improvement in the standard of living of the masses because of inefficient resource utilization.
- For instance, shortage of consumer goods despite the USSR being the highest producer of steel, fuel and energy.
- Imposition of trade restrictions; – Trade restrictions which allowed trade among COMMINFORM members-only hurt their economic growth.
- Poor condition of workers; – This model also failed because the condition of the workers did not improve much and they were living in poor conditions as compared to western European countries.
- Poor Human development; – On the Human development front also, this region underperformed compared to Western European nations.
- Political issue;– the communist party regime was based on single-party rule and off late it turned into an authoritarian regime coupled with high levels of corruption, nepotism and lack of transparency.
- There was also inhuman subjugation of people’s right to freedom of speech and expression and state-sponsored killings.
- Cultural reasons; – the Soviet Union did not possess any kind of unity, because, within the ethnic minorities and Soviet blocs, different languages were spoken, a different history was applied to each state, and cultures varied between each ethnicity.
- USSR model tried to bring cultural homogeneity which caused discontent among the people and led to the rise of nationalism in those countries and they started asking for independence.
Other reasons behind the dissolution of the USSR; – No, it was not a failure as other factors were also responsible for USSR’s disintegration.
- Reform policy of Gorbachev;- under Gorbachev, the policy of reform was undertaken called ‘Glasnost’ or political openness to allow elections with a multi-party system and the policy of ‘perestroika’ or economic restructuring which abandoned the previous policy of command economy by allowing individual ownership of property and setting up businesses while encouraging foreign investment in Soviet enterprises.
- It eventually destabilized Communist control and contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Once people started to enjoy freedom under Michael Gorbachev’s reforms, they demanded more.
- Western aggression; – US ideals were mainly based on the Capitalist model of development. The fall of the USSR was seen as the fall of communist ideals of state and Western countries like the USA had isolated the Soviets from the rest of the world economy, and helped drive oil prices to their lowest levels in decades.
- Without oil revenue to keep their economy solvent, the Soviet Union began to crumble.
- Cold War;- The USSR government was concentrating on producing more weapons and funding allies because of cold war compulsion rather than concentrating on the basic needs of the citizens. It led to popular resentment.
Conclusion
Hence, it would be wrong to presume that the disintegration of the USSR was a failure of the ideals Russian revolution as there are countries like China, Cuba, and Vietnam that followed these ideals. Today they are a thriving economy although they did allow some reform in their economy.
The disintegration of the USSR also led to US hegemony in world politics and the popularization of capitalist models of development.
Q2. Shed light on the recovery and reconstruction approaches in Europe after World War 2. Critically analyze the role of the USA and USSR in such programs. (15M)
Introduction
The year 1945 marked the end of the worst military conflict in history, which brought unprecedented destruction and loss of life. However, the quarter-century that followed is known as the most remarkable period of economic growth and social progress in Europe.
The effort of European rebuilding was led by countries like USA and USSR which still resonates in their prosperous economy and vibrant democracy.
Body:
Recovery and reconstruction approaches in Europe; –
- Focus on industrial growth: – Despite the scale of material damage, industrial equipment and plants survived the war remarkably intact and thus with the help of Marshall Aid and the Molotov plan industrial growth in these regions was revived.
- Reviving infrastructure; – Industrial production had been brought to a halt by the demolition of the transport infrastructure, in particular bridges and railway hubs.
- But the maintenance of wartime command-economy controls and warlike labour mobilisation swiftly eliminated these bottlenecks.
- By 1947, industrial production was back at pre-war levels in at least the victorious powers and the non-belligerent economies.
- Price control; – Aid provided through the US-funded Marshall Plan and Soviet union-funded Molotov’s plan and other means fostered a degree of price control of economic stabilization when there was the scope of high inflation.
- Refugee settlements; – At the end of the Second World War, at least 40 million people had been displaced from their home countries, with about eleven million in Allied-occupied Germany. Various efforts were taken by countries to solve the refugee crisis that had emerged due to WWII.
- For instance, the responsibility for refugee care was given to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).
- Efforts for Unity; – various efforts were taken by European countries to promote political, economic and military unity. This step led to the formation of NATO (1949), the Organisation of European Economic Cooperation (OEEC, 1948) and the European Economic Community.
- In Eastern Europe, this effort was led by the Soviet Union which promoted it through the Molotov plan (1947), COMMINFORM, Warsaw Pact (1955) and COMECON (1949).
- Market reforms; – The resources afforded by the counterpart funds allowed governments to finance public investment projects without the need to cut back on welfare spending, but they were compelled to reintroduce free markets and lift wartime controls and rationing, despite fierce opposition from labour unions.
Role of USA and USSR
- USA’s role;-
- Marshall Plan;- The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was an American initiative to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave $13 billion in economic support to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II.
- It was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948.
- Its main goal was to rebuild war-devastated regions, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, make Europe prosperous again, and prevent the spread of communism.
- It encouraged an increase in productivity, labour union membership, as well as the adoption of modern business procedures.
- Criticism
- Despite, the significant investment on the part of the United States, the funds provided under the Marshall Plan accounted for less than 3 per cent of the combined national incomes of the countries that received them. This led to relatively modest growth of GDP in these countries during the four-year period the plan was in effect.
- That said, by the time of the plan’s last year, 1952, economic growth in the countries that had received funds had surpassed pre-war levels, a strong indicator of the program’s positive impact, at least economically
- Truman Doctrine;- Under it, the primary goal of the US’s foreign policy would be containing soviet geopolitical expansion during the cold war and the US would not revert back to the policy of isolation as it did after WWI.
- Marshall Plan;- The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was an American initiative to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave $13 billion in economic support to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II.
- USSR’s role; –
- Aid under Marshall Plan was technically available to all interested European countries, However, Stalin forbade Soviet satellite states to access aid under Marshall Plan.
- Instead, it introduced Molotov Plan, COMMINFORM and COMECON to rebuild and reconstruct Eastern European countries or so-called Soviet satellite states
- Molotov Plan;- originally called the “Brother Plan” in the Soviet Union to provide aid to rebuild the countries in Eastern Europe that were politically and economically aligned to the Soviet Union. It was aimed to spread communism in Europe.
- Comminform; – was a supranational alliance of Marxist-Leninist communist parties in Europe to coordinate their activity under the direction of the Soviet Union during the early Cold War.
- Under it, Eastern Europe was to be industrialized on the Soviet model and members were to trade primarily with other COMMINFORM members and contacts with non-communist countries were discouraged.
- COMECON; – aka Council for Mutual Economic Assistance was established to facilitate and coordinate the economic development of the eastern European countries belonging to the Soviet bloc.
Conclusion
Although, Western Europe was rebuilt by the efforts of America and was more developed and prosperous but Eastern Europe was not that much developed as the Soviet Union treated these Eastern European countries as a raw material supplying regions.
The dissolution of the USSR in 1991 led to the unification of Europe and ultimately resulted in the formation of the European Union.
Additional Details:
Ethics
Q3. How important is honesty in one’s life? Describe an incident from the lives of great leaders which has impacted you the most. 10M
Introduction
Honesty is adhering to the highest standards of accuracy and truth simply means holding the facts as they are, i.e. upholding the truth. Being honest means choosing not to lie, steal, cheat, or deceive in any way. It includes both honesty to others, and oneself and about one’s motives and inner reality.
Body
Honesty is important in one’s life. Because It
- Creates Credibility –
- Eg – Ashok Khemkha is known as a crusader of honesty.
- Builds Leadership quality –
- Eg – Mahatma Gandhi who led the Indian freedom struggle with one of the core values -“Truthfulness”. It influenced many leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhai Patel etc.
- Promotes openness – Honesty in the public life of a person helps to promote transparency and accountability of the system. It also reflects an individual’s adherence to One’s Integrity and Shows Bravery.
- Eg – IPS officer D.Roopa showcased irregularities in treating VIP Criminals.
- Foundation of core values and principles – Honesty helps in developing good attributes like kindness, discipline, truthfulness, moral integrity and more.
- Eg – In Mahabharat, Karna, who was Honest to his king Duryodhana till his last breath doesn’t accept the offer presented by Lord Krishna to become King of Hastinapur by supporting Pandavas.
- The solution to various issues – For all human problems, Honesty is the ultimate solution. Corruption, Nepotism, impartiality, etc are everywhere in society. By Being Honest one can minimise these issues.
- Way to Successful and peaceful life – It’s the easiest thing you can practice to be happy, successful and fulfilled. Dishonesty causes stress and frustration, instead of making things much simpler and telling the truth.
- Strengthen relationships – when a person is honest, it can strengthen bonds. Honesty is what makes relationships stronger.
Incidents from the lives of great leaders which has impacted me the most.
- APJ Abdul Kalam is a fine example of honesty, integrity and simplicity. Mr Kalam had never misused his official position throughout his professional and public career.
- In 2014, a company called ‘Saubhagya Wet Grinder’ was a sponsor in an event where A P J Abdul Kalam was the chief guest.
The sponsor presented a gift to him which he respectfully declined to accept. The sponsor explained that it was just a grinder and requested him to accept. He took the gift without any further argument. But later He made out a cheque from his personal account of the market price and sent it to the company.
- Once Ramakrishna Paramahansa asked his disciples to steal a little rice from their home but there was one condition nobody sees them stealing rice. All of his disciples did the task except Swami Vivekananda. When Ramakrishna asked him about the reason he told him that even if he tries hard to steal rice hiding from everyone else, he always saw himself stealing the rice. Because whatever we do, it is never hidden from one person and that is ourselves.
Conclusion
From these incidents, I learned how to be honest in public life, and private life and also how to differentiate between public life activities and private life activities.
Case Study: 20M
Q4. You are the state president of a political party that has a good reputation. Your party has been founded on ideals of integrity, equity, and social justice. Even though your party has a good following among the public, it hasn’t been in power for the past 10 years.
Meanwhile, fed up with constant infighting and lack of ministerial prospects, a prominent leader and a three-time MLA from the ruling party want to join your party. He has a considerable following in the backward areas of your state, in which your party has been underperforming. But, he has two criminal cases against him which are under investigation. He says that he is innocent and claims those cases as politically motivated. In the past, he has spoken against you and your party ideals, and through your internal sources, you have come to know that he is guilty in one of those cases. The national leadership and other senior leaders from your state are not considering his criminal background and are keen on inducting him, as his inclusion makes sure of your party’s victory in the upcoming elections. Being in power is not only important to your party but also to your state as the present ruling party is riddled with inefficiencies and corruption.
In this context, answer the following questions:
- Given the need for being in power, discuss the options available to you. What is more rewarding in modern-day politics being in power or being ethical?
- What are moral values from great leaders and administrators which can help decriminalize Indian politics?
Introduction
The case study highlights the issue of the criminalization of politics present in India. In India, there has been a constant rise in the percentage of criminals entering politics. For instance, while 24% of MPs had pending criminal cases in 2004, it has risen to 34% in 2014 and 43% in 2019.
Body
- Given the need for being in power, Options available for me
- Even if we win in upcoming elections by allowing him to join our political party this may set back our political party’s credibility in future and may lose the faith of the public and trust in our party so I strongly oppose his joining.
- If they don’t agree with me, I will pursue my senior and national leaders to once again consider the criminal background of the MLA, as he is found guilty in one of the criminal cases and inducting him without a proper background check will compromise our party ethos – Integrity, equity and social justice.
- I will also expose the true reason behind MLAs’ joining our political party which is a prominent leader joining our political party for the sake of Ministerial prospects for which he had constant infighting with the ruling party.
- I and our political leaders will make the team to find out the reasons behind our party’s failure in the last 10 years.
- Assure of the welfare measures that will be taken promptly and ensure the people about timely delivery of services and projects. Before this, our party will take issues from the regions, where our party is underperforming and will resolve those issues to build the trust and faith of the public in our party.
- Raise awareness about the criminalization of politics and its consequences on the public and the state and also highlights the Ruling party’s inefficiencies and unethical practices followed by it.
- In our party’s election manifesto we will declare the assurance of raising the issue of the criminalisation of politics at the national level and try to bring amendments by the Parliament to resolve the same.
- Sensitizing the voters about vote bank politics, and the role and responsibilities of representatives in a democracy.
- Strengthening inner-party democracy that will attract a new set of leaders and youth to join our party, thus ensuring a good following.
Being ethical is more rewarding to our party. Because
- Being ethical is in line with our party ideals which are the main reasons behind a good following of people.
- Ensures ethos of the principle of free and fair election which is the bedrock of democracy.
- It will ensure good governance which is presently absent in the state by electing high-quality ethical representatives by our party.
- Resolve inefficiency and corruption which is one of the consequences of bringing criminals into politics.
- This will reflect our party’s ideals and shows transparency and accountability followed by the party.
- Motivates youth to join our party thus minimizing the instances of social disharmony which is one of the consequences of the criminalization of politics.
- Builds mutual trust and understanding between the public and representatives as the view of politics for a politician will be similar to that of a common masses.
- Loyalty (Lal Bahadur Sashtri)- Me being a state president of the party will be loyal to uphold the reputation and values on which it was founded like social justice, integrity and equity.
- Fairness (Ambedkar)– I will urge my party leaders to be fair and just in inducting any persons into the party, not just MLA who is facing criminal charges. This will not only promotes party ethos but also attracts ethical, moral leaders into the party.
- Selfless work (Gandhi) – Whosoever political party either our party or the same ruling party wins elections. I urge them to do welfare is people where the objective of government policy must be the welfare of the poorest, most deprived and most marginalized of the people.
- Constitutional Morality – India, where society is divided based on caste, religion, language, and other factors, This is one of the reasons for the criminalization of politics. public and its representatives must uphold Constitutional morality would mean effective coordination between conflicting interests of different people and administrative cooperation.
- Moral obligation – Every voter needs to be ethical in exercising voting rights. Rather than seeking money etc for short-term gains, voters need to think about long-term gains, for future generations. They need to be aware of the consequences of Criminals entering politics.
Conclusion
King Ashoka, Emperor Akbar, Mahatma Gandhiji etc., of the past, has certain high ethical, and moral values, at present, it appears to have seen voidness, as far as, politics and political leadership are concerned. Today, money power, muscle power, and mafia rule have become an inseparable part of Indian politics. If we want to rejuvenate our political system then, the only way to do so is to reinvigorate and reintegrate it with ethical values. The same values used to guide leaders in the past are needed now.
