Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
1. Do you think the policies of Mikhail Gorbachev resulted in the collapse of the Soviet Union? Critically analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu ,Insights on India
Why the question:
Mikhail Gorbachev, who ended the Cold War without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, died on Tuesday at the age of 91.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union and role of Mikhail Gorbachev in it.
Directive:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of Gorbachev’s Glasnost and Perestroika.
Body:
First, in detail explain the polices of Glasnost and Perestroika and their impact on the Soviet Union and how they played a part in the fall of the Soviet Union.
Next, write about the other factors that were responsible for the fall of Soviet Union apart the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion on the issue.
