Class 12 Political Science 2017 Board Exam

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) came into being after the Socialist Revolution in Russia in

Why did Boris Yeltsin oppose the coup that took place in the Soviet Union in 1991 ?
OR
How did the non-aligned countries play a role in reducing Cold War conflicts ?

Who was the last President of the Soviet Union and for how long ?

Describe any four features of 'Soviet System'.

Mention any six reasons responsible for the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Give any four arguments to prove that the Soviet Union had become stagnant in an administrative and political sense.
OR
If the Soviet Union had not disintegrated, how would that situation have affected world politics ?

State any six factors responsible for the disintegration of the Soviet Union (USSR).

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
The collapse of communism was followed in most of these countries by a painful process of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system. This model of transition in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe came to be known as 'shock therapy'. It varied in its intensity and speed amongst the former second world countries, but its direction and features were quite similar.
(8.1) Which two international institutions administered shock therapy in the former second world countries ?
(8.2) Explain any two features of shock therapy.
(8.3) Explain any two consequences of shock therapy.
OR
Read the following passage and answer the following questions :
In the event of a nuclear war, both sides will be so badly harmed that it will be impossible to declare one side or the other as the winner. Even if one of them tries to attack and disable the nuclear weapons of it rival, the other would still be left with enough nuclear weapons to inflict unacceptable destruction. Both sides have the capacity to retaliate against an attack and to cause so much destruction that neither can afford to initiate a war.
(8.4) Why is a nuclear war indecisive ?
(8.5) Why did the Cold War not transform into a full scale war involving the superpowers ?
(8.6) Explain the logic of 'deterrence'.

Study the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow :
Each of these countries was required to make a total shift to a capitalist economy, which meant rooting out completely any structures evolved during the Soviet period. Above all, shock therapy meant that private ownership was to be the dominant pattern of ownership of property. Privatisation of state assets and corporate ownership patterns were to be immediately brought in. Collective farms were to be replaced by private farming and capitalism in agriculture. This transition ruled out any alternate or 'third way', other than state-controlled socialism or capitalism.
(9.1) What is meant by private ownership ?
(9.2) Why were collective farms to be replaced by private farming ? Give any two reasons.
(9.3) Highlight any two advantages of state-controlled socialism.

Study the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow :
The Soviet system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian, making life very difficult for its citizens. Lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech stifled people who often expressed their dissent in jokes and cartoons. Most of the institutions of the Soviet state needed reforms. The party refused to recognise the urge of people in different republics that formed the Soviet Union.
(10.1) How many different republics together constituted the USSR ?
(10.2) What type of party system was there in the Soviet Union ? How far did it follow the democratic norms ?
(10.3) Highlight any two main aspirations of the people of different republics of the Soviet Union.