Question 15GS2GS1
What are the circumstances that led to the disintegration of the USSR and the end of the Cold War? How did the end of the Cold War contribute to the spread of globalization across the world?
Main Body
In 1991, the second pole of the cold war, ie USSR disintegrated, leading to end of cold war and emergence of a unipolar world order, under American hegemony.
Reasons for disintegration of USSR:
1Economic reasons:
Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of 'glasnost' and 'perestroika'
⇒ dynamic disturbance of the soviet economy.
Unvalued production system could not keep pace with the demand.
2Political Reasons:
Widespread corruption and opacity in the soviet administration.
Lack of representation and disenfranchisement to the East European and brutal Asian parts of Soviet Union.
Appeal of western promises of development ⇒ fall of Berlin Wall (1989)
3Social Reasons:
Division and discontent within soviet society ie East Europe and central Asia and Russia.
Widespread poverty and collectivisation of agriculture ⇒ no ownership of property.
Labour unrest due to failure of public sector enterprises.
Globalisation of world
Post 1991, the fall of soviet union symbolized the victory of 'capitalistic USA' ⇒ forced the world to adopt the 'free market model'.
1The economic vises of India and fall of soviet union ⇒ help from IMF and World Bank (USA dominated institutions).
2Integration of local and global economics ⇒ western model of development became universally accepted.
3Growth of multi-national corporations and institutions in WTO, further helped in spread of globalisation.
Therefore, end of cold war and fall of soviet union, led to widespread penetration of globalisation.
237 words9 paragraphs
- Clear chronological marker (1991)
- Identifies key policies (glasnost, perestroika)
- Systematic enumeration of reasons
Topper
Ritika Chitlangia
Subject & Paper
GS2GS1
Topic
History of the World
Socialism and Communism
Disintegration of USSR and Cold War
Writing Stats
237
Total words
9
Paragraphs
expository and analytical
Tone