WORKSHEET FOR LESSONS 1-6
CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS
CHAPTER – 1 - THE COLD WAR ERA
1) What did the end of Cold War signify?
2) Name two super
powers during the Cold War era.
3) Which movement proved to be a challenge to super powers?
4) Give full forms of:
_NAM· _NIEO· _ USSR· _NATO· _SEATO· _CENTO· _LDCs· _UNCTAD· _LTBT· _NPT _
SALT – I _ SALT – II· _
START – I· _
START – II·
5) Describe Cuban
Missile Crisis.
6) Why were nuclear missiles placed in Cuba by USSR?
7) What was the reaction of U.S to the placing of missiles
in Cuba by USSR? Why was it so?
8) What was the
result of the Cuban Missile Crisis? OR How did the Cuban Missile Crisis end?
9) What was the significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis? OR
Which event is considered as the high point of cold war?
10) What is the
difference between a Cold War and a Hot War?
11) Describe Cold War
situation after the Second World War.
12) Name the Allied
and Axis powers during the Second World War.
13) Who won the
Second World War?
14) Give the time duration of the First World War and the
Second World War.
15) What was the result of the end of the Second World War?
16) How did the
Second World War end?
17) What arguments
were given for and against the dropping of atom bombs. By U.S over Japan? 18)
How did the ―logic of deterrence‖ work in the case of Cold War? OR Why did the
Cold War remain cold not hot?
19) What were the
main features of the Cold War?
20) Name the
countries of ―Western‖ and ―Eastern‖ Alliances formed during, The Cold War.
21) When did the
Western and the Eastern Alliances come into existence?
22) Give one example
of a crack in the alliance system.
23) Why did the super powers need allies?
24) Why did the smaller states join the alliances?
25) What does arena of ‗Cold War‘ refer to?
26) Which were the main arenas of Cold War?
27) What factors contributed to the reduction of Cold War
conflicts?
28) How did the Cold War lead to arms race?
29) What efforts were made to eliminate the arms race?
30) What came as a challenge to Bipolarity?
31) Name the five founders of NAM (leaders and countries).
32) When and where was the first NAM summit held?
33) What factors lead to the formation of NAM?
34) How many members
were there in the first summit of NAM?
35) Explain the following statement: ―The policy of staying
away from alliances should not be considered, Isolationism or neutrality‖
36) What do you mean by New International Economic Order? OR
How did the idea of NIEO originate?
37) What economic reforms were suggested by UNCTAD report of
1972?
38) ________________ became an economic pressure group by
1970‘s.
39) Why did NIEO fail
by 1980‘s?
40) What role has India played in the Cold War situation?
41) How did India‘s Non Aligned Policy help it?
42) On what grounds has India‘s Non Aligned Policy been
criticized?
43) What do you think about the statement that ―NAM has
become irrelevant? Today‖? Give reasons to support your opinion
44) Name the US President and the leader of the Soviet Union
during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
45) Name the allied
powers in the Second World War.
46) Name the Japanese cities on which the US dropped the
atomic bombs.
47) US represents the
ideology of.....................
48) Soviet Union represented the ideology
of...................
49) Cuban Missiles
Crisis was on account of ..................... placed in Cuba
By.......................
50) Name two members of the western alliance.
51) Name two members of the eastern alliance.
52) Name two member of the communist bloc
53) Name two members of the capitalist bloc.
54) Name two members of NAM.
55) Name two members
of NATO.
56) Name two members
of SEATO.
57) Name two members
of the Warsaw Pact.
58) Name any two members of CENTO.
59) Name any two treaties signed by the US and U.S.R which
aimed at bringing about arms control
CHAPTER - 2 – THE END OF BIPOLARITY
1) Which three world
events signify the end of Bipolarity?
2) What was the soviet system?
3) Why was the Soviet Union called a great power after the
Second World War?
4) Why was Soviet
Union system called authoritarian?
5) How did Gorbachev
bring about disintegration of USSR?
6) Why were economic
reforms necessary in USSR?
7) When did military coup take place in USSR? Who supported
it?
8) Write a short note on the role of Boris Yeltsin.
9) What changes came in the Soviet system after the
disintegration of the USSR?
10) Why did the
Soviet Union disintegrate?
11) Name three Baltic
States?
12) Who was the last
leader of the Soviet Union?
13) Name two economic
and political reform policies of Gorbachev.
14) When did the
Soviet Union end?
15) Why were prosperous parts of the Soviet Union
dissatisfied with it?
16) What were the
consequences of Soviet disintegration on world politics?
17) What was known as
―shock - therapy‖ in the Post – Communist regimes?
18) What did the
―shock – therapy‖ involve?
19) What were the
negative and positive consequences of ―Shock – therap?
20) What kind of tensions and conflicts are seen in the
Post-Soviet era in a) Russia b) Central Asian Republics c) Eastern Europe
21) What kind of
relations does India have with Post-Communist countries?
22) How can India get
benefited by the Russian friendship?
23) How can Russia benefit due to India‘s friendship?
24) The soviet
political system was based on which ideology?
25) Mention any three features that distinguish the soviet
economy from that of a capitalist economy.
26) What was called
as the largest garage sale in History?
27) Mention any two
characteristics of the Soviet Political system.
28) Why did the
Soviet system? become weak?
29) What was shock therapy?
30) What was
Gorbachev‘s role in reforming the Communist Party?
31) "Rise of
nationalism is considered to be the most important cause for dis-integration of
U.S.S.R". Do you agree with this?
32) What is the
difference between nationalism and secessionism?
33) Why did the
Soviet Union collapse inspite of Gorbachev‘s accurate diagnosis of the problem?
34) How did the shock
therapy adversely affect the Social structure?
35) Differentiate
between Soviet Economy & the capitalist economy
36) What were the causes for the disintegration of the
Soviet system?
37) What were the
consequences of the disintegration of Soviet Union on world politics?
38) Discuss India‘s
relations with Russia.
39) Discuss lndia‘s
relations with former U.S.S.R.
CHAPTER – 3 - U.S
HEGEMONY IN WORLD POLITICS
1) Which type of U.S Hegemony effected Ayesha, Jabu and
Andrei?
2) Which events
marked the beginning of the ―New World Order?
3) When did U.S Hegemony begin?
4) Explain the events
associated with the First Gulf War.
5) Why did U.S launch
Operation Desert Storm?
6) How did the First
Gulf War help U.S to establish its Hegemony in the world affairs?
7) Which years are called Clinton Years?
8) What was the foreign policy of U.S during Clinton Years?
How was it different from Gorge H.W. Bush‘s time?
9) When did U.S show its military power during Clinton
Years?
10) Why did President
Clinton order Operation Infinite Reach?
11) Why did U.S
launch Global War Terror?
12) What happened on
11th September 2001?
13) When did U.S
launch Operation Enduring Freedom?
14) Why did U.S
invade Iraq on 19th March, 2003? Why is this invasion termed as military and
political failure on the part of U.S?
15) What does
Hegemony mean?
16) What is the meaning of Unipolar System?
17) Explain three
kinds of U.S Hegemony with the help of examples.
18) What are the constraints on American Power?
19) Evaluate India‘s
changing relationship with the U.S.
20) What are the three possible strategies of Indo-U.S
relations suggested by the three schools of thought?
21) What are the
three possible ways of overcoming U.S Hegemony?
22) What is Band
Wagon Strategy‘?
23) What do you mean by Hide Strategy‘ to overcome U.S
Hegemony?
24) How can non-state actors help in overcoming U.S
Hegemony?
25) How is U.S dominance since the Cold War different from
its position as a Super Power?
26) Briefly explain the objective of the following: a)
Operation Desert storm b) Operation Infinite Reich c) Global War of Terror
27) How North
Atlantic Treaty organization is able to moderate the exercise of US hegemony?
28) American military dominance today is both absolute and
relative. Comment
29) How did the first Gulf War reveal the technological gap
between the US and the other states? 30) "Operation Desert storm though a
UN operation was overwhelmingly American.
31) "Operation
Enduring freedom was a war on terror. Comment.
32) The Iraq invasion created a deep humanitarian crisis in
Iraq & deep politics in the international system comment.
33) What is bandwagon Strategy?
34) "lf big and resourceful states cannot resist the US
hegemony it is unrealistic to expect much smaller and weaker non state actors
to offer any resistance. Examine the statement and give your opinion.
Q.35 "The pre dominance of the US in the world today is
based on its military power, economic power and on its cultural presence".
Comment.
Q. 36 Critically analyse lndia‘s relationship with the US
after the cold war era. What type of relationship do you think India wants with
US in this phase of Global hegemony?
Q.37 Explain the most
important constraint on the exercise of American power today.
CHAPTER – 4 -
ALTERNATIVE CENTERS OF POWER
1) Write the full forms of: EU, ASEAN, OEEC, and UNSC.
2) When were the following found: OEEC, The Council of
Europe, European Economic Committee, and
European Union.
3) What are the aims of European Union? OR Why was European
Union Formed?
4) What are the features of European Union?
5) Which factors brought about the formation of European
Union?
6) How does EU exercise its economic, political, diplomatic
and military Influence?
7) Name the currency of EU.
8) Why was ASEAN formed?
9) When was ASEAN
formed? OR Which development lead to the creation of ASEAN?
10) Name the five founding member countries of ASEAN.
11) What do you know about Bangkok Declaration?
12) What were the objectives of ASEAN?
13) What is the
present membership of ASEAN?
14) Name the five new
members of ASEAN.
15) What is the term ASEAN
way‘ used for?
16) How is ASEAN different from EU?
17) How has broadened
its objectives in 2003?
18) Name the three communities established by ASEAN.
19) What is the full
form of ARF?
20) When was ARF formed? What work does it carry out?
21) What is FTA? 22) What is the ASEAN vision 2020?
23) Explain India‘s relationship with ASEAN countries.
24) With which two ASEAN countries has India signed FTAs?
25) Why is ASEAN
primarily considered as economic association?
26) What work has been done by ASEAN Security Community?
27) What factors make China a strong economic power?
28) Which model of
economy was adopted by China in 1949?
29) What were the
benefits and shortcomings of the mode?
30) Which major policy decisions were taken by Chinese
leadership in the 1970‘s?
31) What were the new economic policies adopted by China in
70‘s, 80‘s, And 90‘s?
32) What has been the effect of new economic policies
adopted by China?
33) What are the limitations of Chinese economic reforms? OR
In what areas have Chinese economic reforms failed?
34) Why is it said that ―Regionally and Globally, China has
become an Economic power to reckon with?
35) Identify the three issues of conflict between China and
India.
36) Explain the role of emerging alternative centres of
power in transforming the different countries into prosperous economies.
37) Why do India and China both view themselves as rising
powers in global politics in spite of tension between them?
38) Explain the positive developments in Indo Chinese
relations after 1976.
ASSIGNMENT- 5 TOPIC – CONTEMPORARY SOUTH ASIA
1) What factors make South Asia a turbulent region?
2) What is South Asia? Name the countries.
3) What factors contribute to the distinctiveness of the
South Asian sub continent?
4) What is the nature of political systems of the South
Asian countries – Democratic or Non Democratic?
5) What is the attitude of South Asian people towards
democracy?
6) What role has been played by military in Pakistan?
7) What factors have contributed to Pakistan‘s failure in
building a stable democracy?
8) Bangladesh belonged to which country earlier? What was it
made of?
9) Why did the people
of Bangladesh want freedom?
10) What are the three principles of Bangladesh
constitution?
11) Why was Sheikh Mujib killed?
12) Explain
Bangladesh‘s struggle for democracy after its creation.
13) In which years
was Bangladesh a part of Pakistan?
14) Name the political parties of the following: a) Sheikh
Mujib-ur Rehman b) Ziaur Rehman
15) Name the
Bangladesh military ruler who was made to step down in 1990.
16) Explain the struggle for democracy in Nepal.
17) What is termed as triangular conflict in Nepal‘s
struggle for democracy?
18) What happened in
April 2006 in Nepal.
19) Why was LTTE formed in Sri Lanka? OR Explain the ethnic
conflict of Sri Lanka.
20) What is the full form of LTTE?
21) Which Scandinavian countries tried to mediate in Sri
Lanka?
22) What are the causes of conflict between India and
Pakistan?
23) How have India
and Pakistan solved their problem of sharing of river waters?
24) What are the areas of conflict between India and
Bangladesh?
25) How have India and Bangladesh cooperated?
26) Why is it said that India and Nepal share a special
relationship?
27) What are the
areas of dispute between India and Nepal?
28) Explain the causes of conflict and efforts of
cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
29) Explain India‘s friendly relations with Bhutan and
Maldives.
30) What are the full
forms of SAARC and SAFTA?
31) Why was SAARC formed?
32) Why was SAFTA signed?
33) Does India try to dominate South Asian region? Give your
views about this impression of India‘s neighbours
CHAPTER – 6 -INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1) When was United Nations Organizations referred to as UN?
2) Why are
international organizations formed?
3) Why was UN formed?
4) What is the full form of IMF?
5) What work is performed by IMF?
6) When was UN founded? OR Which day is celebrated as UN
day?
7) When did India join the UN?
8) Which international organization was formed after the
First World War? Why did it fail?
9) How many original members were there in UN?
10) How many members did UN have in 2006?
11) Who is the head of UN? Name the post, the present head
and his Country.
12) Give full forms of the following UN agencies: a) WHO b)
UNDP c) UNHRC d) UNHCR e) UNICEF f) UNESCO
13) What are the two basic kinds of reforms needed in UN?
14) What kind of
reforms are needed in UN structures and processes?
15) How has the world seen change after the cold war?
16) Why are reforms needed in UN Security Council? OR What
did UN General Assembly Resolution of 1992 say about the reform of UN Security
Council?
17) What new criteria
have been suggested for being a member of Security Council? What are the
problems in these criteria?
18) Write short notes on the following: a) World Bank b) WTO
c) IAEA d) Amnesty International
19) What is the nature of the present membership of UN
Security Council?
20) What is the VETO power?
21) What can be the effects of abolition or modification of
VETO power?
22) What steps were suggested in September 2005 to make UN
more effective?
23) Why does India want restructuring of UN?
24) When was UN Security Council membership expanded? How
much was the expansion?
25) What arguments
are given by India in favour of a permanent seat in Security Council? OR What
are India‘s claims to a permanent seat in Security Council?
26) How will permanent membership of Security Council help
India?
27) Why do countries
question permanent membership of India in UN? OR Why is it not easy for India
to be a permanent member of the Security Council?
28) Why is US dominating UN? OR Why is US exercising
considerable influence over UN?
29) In spite of the US dominance, why is UN considered
useful? OR Explain the statement: ―The UN is an imperfect body, but without it
the World would be worse off
