Teachers recommend solving Kerala Syllabus Plus Two Two Political Science Previous Year Question Papers and Answers Pdf March 2023 to improve time management during exams.
Kerala Plus Two Political Science Previous Year Question Paper March 2023
From Questions 1 to 12, answer for 16 scores
Question 1.
Who delivered the famous Tryst with Destiny’ speech?
a) Lai Bahadur Shastri
b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer:
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Question 2.
Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
a) Kalyanasundaram
b) SukumarSen
c) S.P. SenVerma
d) NegendraSing
Answer:
b) SukumarSen
Question 3.
Who is known as the ‘Milkman’ of India?
a) Lalu Prasad Yadav
b) M.s. Swaminathan
c) varghese Kurian
d) J.C. Kumarappa
Answer:
c) varghese Kurian
Question 4.
The commission appointed in 1977 by Janatha Party government to inquire into the excess committed during emergency.
a) Shah Commission
b) Sarkaria Commission
c) Mandal Commission
d) Kothari Commission
Answer:
a) Shah Commission
Question 5.
The Punjab accord was signed by ____ and ____
a) Indra Gandhi and Bhindranwala
b) Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand singh Longowal.
c) Rajiv Gandhi and Lai Denga
d) Angami Zaper Phizo and Kazi Lhendup Dorgi
Answer:
b) Rajiv Gandhi and Harchand singh Longowal.
Question 6.
Match the following.
| a) Mikhail Gorbachev |
i) Success of USSR |
| b) Shock Therapy |
ii) USSR |
| c) Russia |
iii) Peristroika |
| d) Warsapact |
iv) Transition model |
Answer:
| a) Mikhail Gorbachev |
i) Peristroika |
| b) Shock Therapy |
ii) Transition model |
| c) Russia |
iii) Success of USSR |
| d) Warsapact |
iv) USSR |
Question 7.
Expand the following:
Answer:
ASEAN : Association of South-East Asian Nations.
SAFTA : South Asean Free Trade Agreement.
Question 8.
Name the first Secretary General of United Natons Organisation.
Answer:
Trygve Lie
Question 9.
Arrange the following statement in the appropriate columns given below:
Elimination of existing weapons
Regulates acquisition of development of weapons.
Answer:
| Arms Control |
Disarmament |
| Regulates aquisition or development of weapons. |
Elimination of existing weapons. |
Question 10.
Which among the following is not a part of ‘Global Comomns’
a) Antarctica
b) Outer Space
c) Earth’s Atmosphere
d) Rivers
Answer:
d) Rivers
Question 11.
Match the following: (4)
| a) India’s Nuclear Policy |
i) Tibetan Spiritual leader |
| b) Shimla Agreement |
iii) No first use |
| c) Banding Conference |
iii) Indo-Pak relations |
| d) Dalai Lama |
iv) NAM |
Answer:
| a) India’s Nuclear Policy |
i) Nofirstuse |
| b) Shimla Agreement |
ii) Indo-Pak relations |
| c) Banding Conference |
iii) NAM |
| d) Dalai Lama |
iv) Tibetan Spiritual leader |
Question 12.
Name the person, who took leading role in drafting second five year plan of India.
Answer:
PC. Mahalanobis
Answer any 4 questions from 13 to 18. Each carries 3 scores. (4× 3 = 12)
Question 13.
What are the new sources of threats to both Human Security and Global Security? Write any three.
Answer:
Security threats are of a different kind now. They can be categorized as follows:
1) Terrorism: Political attacks make the life or ordinary citizens difficult. The terrorists went the political circumstances to change. They try to bring about changes by threats or armed attacks.
2) Human Rights Violations: We see that throughout the world there are human right violations. There is no unified thinking in any country about how to protect human rights.
3) Global Poverty: This is another factor of security threat, it is believed that the population in the under developed countries will triple in 50 years. In countries where the population is low, the per capita income will be high. Therefore the economically advanced countries will prosper further whereas the poor countries will grow poorer. The gap between countries of the North and South will increase. People from the South countries immigrate to the North countries for the security of mankind.
Question 14.
The world face several environmental concerns. Identify any three amongst them.
Answer:
- Global warming
- Deforestation
- Pollution
Question 15.
Post – independent India had to face trifold challenges. Identify them.
Answer:
a) Integrating India
b) Ensuring the welfare of the people and development
c) Establish the democratic system
Question 16.
Jawaharlal Nehru had some objectives while farming the foreign policy of India, prepare a brief note on those objectives.
Answer:
- Protect the freedorn and sovereignty of the nation.
- Protect the geographical unit of the nation.
- Ensure rapid economic growth of the nation.
Question 17.
Explain any three reasons which evolved the emergence of the popular movement, ‘Narada BachaoAndolan’
Answer:
Narmada Bachao Andolan : This Movement came as a result of the Sardar Sarovar Project. This questioned even the economic policy of the government. It was also a movement against large scale displacement of people for huge developmental projects. People of Kerala had made similar protests against the Vallarpadam Project.
Sardar Sarovar Project is a large scale project. The project was to build a number of big and small dams. The project would cover Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. This project would help Gujarat to have good irrigation and electricity.
Narmada Bachao Andolan was to protect Narmada. The Movement demanded the stoppage of constructions in this river. If this project is completed, 245 villages would be submerged under water. Some 2.5 lakhs people will have to find new homes. Starting from these villages, the Andolan began to spread. The beginning of the Movement was by demanding to rehabilitate those who would lose their homes.
The argument also came up that the local communities should have power over the land, water and forests. They fesk why in a democracy some people should become victims for the benefit of some others. Many large scale schemes have been implemented. Large scale displacement of people would adversely affect them. It also brings harm to Nature. All these were the causes for the Narmada Bachao Andolan.
Question 18.
Briefly narrate, ‘Cuban Missile Crisis’ and name both Soviet and US leaders associated with the crisis.
Answer:
Cuban missile crisis is also called October crisis of 1962. It was 13 day confrontation between the US and Soviet Union. It was initiated by the american discovery of Soviet ballistic missile depolyment in Cuba. The confrontation is considered the closest the cold war came to escalating into a full scale unclear war.
The outcome is
- Withdrawal of soviet nuclear missiles from Cuba.
- Withdrawal of US missile frrom Turkey & Italy.
- Creation of a nuclear hotline b/n Us & Soviet Union.
Answer any 4 questions from 19 to 24. Each carries 4 scores. (4 × 4 = 16)
Question 19.
Identify any four factors that supported Congress to dominate, post-independent Indian political scenario.
Answer:
In all the 3 general elections after independence, the Congress won brutal majorities. There were some reasons for that.
- Congress had led Independence struggle.
- Congress was the only party which had spread all across India.
- The popularity of Jawaharlal Nehru
Because of all these reasons, Congress had expected victory. When the final results came, the astounding success of the Congress Party surprised everyone. It made all other parties lag much behind. It won 364 out of the 489 seats. The same was the Case in the States. The exceptions to this were Travancore-Cochin, Madras and Orissa.
In the later two elections (1957,1962) also Congress repeated its success. Some people thought the victory’of the Congress Party was because of the system of our election. This system was pro-Congress. Although 3 out of 4 seats were won by the Congress, it did not have even the support of 50% of the voters. The votes polled by other parties were more than the votes polled by Congress.
Question 20.
Discuss the context of Fourth general elections of India, 1967.
Answer:
From 1952 elections, until the 4th election, Congress could gain clear majority in both the Centre and States. But with the 4th election things changed. The financial crisis, succession following the death of Lai Bahadur Sastri, the devaluation of the Indian Rupee, inflation – all these things adversely affected the Congress. It was the first election after the death of Nehru. The Opposition Parties joined together to fight the Congress.
In the circumstances, the election result was a real earthquake. Although Congress could maintain its majority in the Lok Sabha, it was the smallest ma-jority so far. Almost half of the ministers in the Indira Ministry failed to be re-elected. In 7 States Congress lost power. In two other States, because of Defection, Congress could not form governments.
Thus 9 States – Punjab, Haryana, UP, MP, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Madras and Kerala were lost by the Congress. In Madras a regional party, the DMK, came to power with clear majority. This was the first Non-Congress, single party government. In the other 8 States coalition governments were formed. That is how the popular saying emerged.
Question 21.
The anti-arrack movement, in Andhra Pradesh, drew the attention of the country to some serious issues. Mention any four amongst them.
Answer:
In the 1990s, many women in Nellur in Andhra became literate. In the class, women spoke about the drinking habits of their men-folk. Drinking alcohol causes both physical and mental harm. It also adversely affects the economic situation of the family. Men do not go to work. The manufacturers of various kinds of alcoholic beverages make money by using all sorts of illegal means. It is the women that suffer because of the drinking habit of men.
The women in Nellur protested against alcoholism and forced a wine shop to close down. This news spread like wild fire into some 5000 villages. They held meetings and passed resolutions and sent them to the Collectors. The arrack auction in Nellur had to be postponed 17 times. The protest in Nellur spread to the rest of the State. In short, where government s and political parties failed, such social movements won.
Question 22.
Define Shock Therapy and discuss consequences of its.
Answer:
The disintegration of the USSR led many of its member countries to accept democracy. Russia, Asia and Eastern European countries were attracted to the World Bank and IMF. This change is known as the shock treatment.
Results:
- Many large scale industries under government control were closed.
- 90% industries were ready to be sold to individuals and companies.
- Rouble, the Russian currency, lost its value.
- Inflation reduced the value of the saving of people.
- In collective farming, people had food security. USSR had to import foodstuff.
- The G DP of 1999 was less that of 1989.
- The social welfare schemes had to be abandoned.
- As the subsidies were withdrawn, people became poor.
- Educational and intellectual manpower was reduced and people left the country looking for jobs.
- Privatization brought inequality among people.
Question 23.
Examin the role and limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating co-operation among the South Asian countries.
Answer:
SAARC officially came int& existence in December 1985. 7 countries of South Asia are its members. They are Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This organization was formed with the intention of ensuring cooperation in the spheres of agriculture, rural development, science and technology, culture, health and population control.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF SAARC:
- Ensuring the well-being of the South Asians.
- Quicken the economic, social and cultural growth.
- Make collective efforts to make the regions self-sufficient.
- Mutual help in various areas.
- Mutual cooperation.
- Work in collaboration with international and regional organizations.
Question 24.
India’s demand for permanent membership in the UN Security Council is a genuine claim. Substantiate the statement by giving reasons.
Answer:
There is a need to reform UNO as per the need of the time. The circumstances today are different from those existing at the time of the formation of the UNO. There should be objective solutions to the problems of the world. No country should assume the role of world police.
There should be structural change in the UN to enable it to eradicate terrorism. There should be proper representation of the developing nations in the UN. The demand of India to have permanent membership in the Security Council is a logical and just demand. India wants permanent membership because of the following reasons:
- It has the world’s second largest population.
- It is the largest democracy in the world.
- India has participated in the UN activities since its inception.
- It has long relations with the UN Peacekeeping force.
- India’s economic situation is improving.
- India gives regularly to the UN budget. It has never defaulted on any payment.
The above reasons are good enough for India to get a permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Permanent membership has its own significance. India’s importance will increase in world matters. Our foreign policy will influence others.
Answer any 4 questions from 25 to 30. Each caries 5 scores. (4 × 5 = 20)
Question 25.
Explain, Green Revolution. Mention two positive and negative outcomes of it.
Answer:
Green Revolution is the name given to the policies of the government which aimed at maximum production in the minimum period in the.agricultural sector. In the 1960s, the agricultural sector was in a very bad shape. Between 1965 and 67 there were huge droughts in many parts of India. This reduced food production and in many areas there was famine¬like condition.
To overcome this crisis, India was forced to seek assistance from countries like America. Following the American policies, we too started some new economic policies. The government wanted self-sufficiency in food and therefore a new agricultural policy was implemented. This policy included farming all lands where irrigation was available, using high yield varieties of seeds and fertilizing the land. Subsidies were given for irrigation and insecticides. It was also decided that the. government would purchase the produce at a minimum price. All these changes together paved the way for what is known as the Green Revolution.
The Green Revolution brought some positive changes in agricultural growth. Food stuff was easily available. Of course, it was the rich merchants and large farm- owners that were the prime beneficiaries. There was a polarization of the rich and poor. This helped the Left Parties to bring together the poor farmers and the masses. As a result, there arose a powerful Left leaning lobby of middle class farmers.
Negative outcomes:
- Green revolution mainly focused on the production of wheat.
- If increased the use of chemical fertilizers.
- It increased gap between the rich and the poor.
Question 26.
Discuss the background and causes which led to the declaration of Emergency in India.
Answer:
After the 1971 election, Indira became a popular leader with a lot of support from the people. This time there were serious problems in the Party. There were three main reasons:
a) Economic Reasons
b) Gujarat & Bihar Movement
c) Dispute with the Judiciary
The main slogan in the 1971 election was ‘garibi hatao’. But when the government came to power it could not improve the economic condition of the country. There were a number of reasons for that. First of all there was the refuge problem. Then there was the Bangladesh Crisis, followed by the Indo- Pakistan War. All these things created financial problems. Secondly, after the War, America stopped its aids to India.
Thirdly, there was a sharp increase in oil prices. The 4th reason was inflation which made the life of ordinary people very difficult. The 5th problem was negative growth in industrial output. Unemployment increased, especially in the rural sector. Sixthly, the salaries of government employees had to be reduced and even stopped. Seventhly, lack of rain caused serious shortfall in foodstuff.
All the above things created an economic crisis in the country. There was general discontentment in the country. This gave the Opposition Parties an opportunity to organise protests.
Guiaratand Bihar Movement:
The second biggest problem was the students’ protest in Gujarat and Bihar which were Congress-ruled States. The main reason was the increase in the prices of essential commodities. Shortage of food, unemployment and corruption made the students angry. In both these States the Opposition Parties supported the students. In Gujarat, Presidential Rule was imposed. At this time the main opponent of Indira Gandhi and the.leader of Congress (O), Morarji Desai, decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike. He did that for demanding elections in Gujarat.
In June 1975, because of heavy pressure from various sources, election was conducted. Congress lost the election. In Bihar the students invited Jay Prakash Narayan to lead their protest. He accepted the invitation insisting that the protest must be non-violent. He asked for the dismissal of the Bihar government. He argued that there was a need fora revolution in social, economic and political spheres. But the Bihar government refused to resign.
The entire country discussed the issue. Jay Prakash Narayan wanted to spread the protest to all parts of the country. In the meantime the railway workers went on a strike. It would make the entire country come to a stand¬still. In 1975, Jay Prakash Narayan organized a march to the Parliament. It was the biggest rally the capital had ever seen. The Opposition saw in him an alternative to Indira Gandhi. Both the protests were anti-Congress. Voices also rose against the leadership of Mrs. Gandhi. She believed that all this was done to take revenge on her.
Dispute with the Judiciary:
Another reason for the declaration of Emergency was Indira Gandhi’s dispute with the Judiciary. The Supreme Court said that some of the things the government did were against the Constitution. Congress argued that the Supreme Court judgement was against democracy and the authority of the Parliament. The Party said that the Court was standing against some welfare measures taken to help the poor people. The dispute was mainly in three things. Firstly, Can the Parliament change the Fundamental Rights?
The Court said no. Secondly, Can the Parliament change ownership of land? Again the Court said no. Thirdly, the Parliament said that it had the right to reduce fundamental rights. It amended the Constitution. But the Supreme Court objected. All these were the reasons for the dispute between the Government and the Supreme Court.
There were two more reasons. In the Kesavananda Bharati case, the Supreme Court judged that the Parliament can’t change the basic structure of the Constitution. Soon the post of the Chief Justice became vacant. Normally the senior most judge is appointed as the Chief Justice. But keeping aside 3 eligible Judges, the government appointed A.N. Roy as the Chief Justice. This appointment became controversial. Besides, the Uttar Pradesh High Court declared the election of Indira Gandhi as null ancl void. All these were the reasons for Mrs Gandhi to declare Emergency in June 1975.
Question 27.
India witnesses several regional issues. What lessons we drew from regional aspirations in India?
Answer:
Refer the Chapter: ‘Regional Aspirations’ Especially Questions 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
Question 28.
Towards the end qf 1980’s, five major developments occurred, which brought long lasting imapct on Indian politics. Explain those development.
Answer:
a) In 1989, Congress lost the electiog. With that election the ‘Congress System’ ended.
b) Mandal issue in national politics: In the 1990s,the . government decided to implement the job
reservations recommended by the Mandal Commission. Reservations were also made for Other Backward Classes. This resulted in a move against the Mandal Commission throughout the country.
c) The economic policy changed according to the change in the government. A new economic ‘ policy was implemented in the name of Structural Adjustment.
d) In 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished as a result of many things. It was an incident that threatened the unity and integration of the country. It happened because of the coming of BJP with its Hindutva agenda.
e) The Murder of Rajiv Gandhi (1991): This brought changes in the leadership of Congress. In the next election, Congress won the maximum seats.
Question 29.
Non-alignment as a strategy evolved in the cold war context. Explain India’s policy of NAM and discuss major criticism levied against it.
Answer:
Non alignment strategy evolved in the cold war context. Explain India’s policy of NAM and diseases major critisism levied against it. Non alignment is one of the basic principles of India’s foreign policy. It is the most valuable contributiion given by India to the international community. India formulated the policy of non alignment in the context of 2 global development.
1) The freedom struggle, in the colonies.
2) The cold war between the capitalist bloc and the socialist bloc.
India’s national movement was notan isolated one. If was a part of the world wide struggle against cololnialilsm and imperialism. The freedom struggle in India influenced the liberation movements of many Asian and African countries.
Even before independence there was cordial relations between the national leaders of India and other colo-nies. All of them stood united in their struggle against colonialism. During the period of freedom struggle. India established cordial relations with overseas In-dians.
When India became independent cold war had already become very strong. It was a period of global conformation of the power blocs under the leadership of Russia and America in the political economic and military level. The super powers tried their level best to really the newly independent states in their own. Several critisism have been leveled against India’s policy of non alilgnment.
- The critics say that India’s non alignment policy is unprincipled.
- India was also critisized for its contradictary and inconsist and stand.
- Some critics point out that India was part of the soviate bloc.
Question 30.
“The European Union has economic, political, diplomatic and military influence in international politics.” What makes European Union a highly influential regional organisation?
Answer:
“The European union has economic, Political, diplomatic and mililtary influence in international Politics”. What makes european union highly influential regional or ganisation? The IInd world war inflicted heavy losses upon european countries. Their economies were linked. The Europeans leaders succeeded in belonging the economic integration of Europe. It was achieved through the formation of certain institutions. The most important among them was European union.
The formation of European economic community in 1957 was the fixed step in the evolution of E.U. Com-munity was also known as common market. Its goal was to expand free trade. In 1992 the members of European economic community renamed their organisation as European Union.
The growth of E.U really amazing with in a very short period. It could becaome the biggest economic and political organisation of the world. The European Union has economic, Political-and diplomatic and military influence. The European union made oustanding performance in the economic sector. It is the biggest economy of the world. In 2005, its G.D.P is 12 trillion dollars, slightly larger than that of the united station. Its currency, the Euro also threat the dominance of American dollar. Its Shace of the world trade is 3 times larger that of the U.S.
E.U soon emerged as world is biggest exporter of commodities and biggest buyer of law materials. It was IInd only to U.S in steel production. E.U has grood political and diplomatic influence. Two member of E.U France and Britain are the Permanent member of U.N secretary council. Besides permanent members, many member of the European Union are non permanent member of secretary council.
The E.U has a great military force. It armed forces are the IInd largest in the world. Its total spending an E.U, Britain and France have nuclear assenals of 550 war heads. Orover, the E.U occupies the IInd im¬portant position in the field of space and communication technology.
Answer any 2 questions from 31 to 33. Each carries 8 scores. (2 × 8 = 16)
Question 31.
Globalisation is a multidimensional concept. Define globalization and explain i^s political, economic and cultural consequences.
Answer:
Globalization is the exchange of ideas, materials and human resources. Now this exchange is possible among nations without much control. Looked at this way, it assumes different levels of political, economic and cultural meanings. In his sense it has merits and demerits. Some societies may be affected only very little, but some may be affected much more.
Let us see how it works. Politically speaking, the authority of the government gets weaker. It will have to reduce its welfare schemes. Instead of social welfare, the stress is on the market. With the coming MNCs (Multi National Corporations), it becomes difficult for the governments to take independent decisions. Globalization has far-reaching economic and cultural effects.
Cultural Effects:
Globalization has influenced the economic results greatly. World Bank, IMF, WTO, etc. play big roles. All these are controlled mainly by America and its allies. The world economy itself has come under their influence. In this, a rethinking is necessary. It is high time we found out who the beneficiaries of globalization are.
As a result of globalization, import controls are reduced or removed, he developed nations can now invest their capital in the developing countries. Investing in the developing countries is more profitable. Technologies develop without any limits of borers. Bur regarding the movement of people, the developed nations have made certain rules. Their countries are kept safe from foreign workers through the policy of Visa. Because of the visa rules, the jobs of their citizens are not taken away by emigrants.
Cultural Results: Globalization opens the way for the globalization of cultures. Globalization is the flow of things from one country to another. This flow is of different kinds. Ideas can floe from one country to another. It should be the flow of things. It could be flow of people from pne country to another seeking better opportunities and better life.
The effects of globalization do not limit themselves to the economic and political fields alone. It affects even the house we live in, the food we eat, our drinks, our dresses and even the way we think. There are people that globalization might become so effective that there may emerge a uniform global culture. In reality this global culture is nothing but the western culture. This brings a challenge not only to the poor countries but to the entire mankind.
It means the rich heritages of various, divergent and individual culturfes will ultimately lose their lustre and simply be forgotten in the §hine of the global culture. However, some people feel that the adverse effect of cultural globalization is an exaggerated one. To them culture is not something that stands still, but it changes with the progress of time. All cultures absorb the good things from other cultures.
Question 32.
Partition of India was painful and difficult task. Discuss the difficulties and consequences of partition.
Answer:
The division of British India in 1947 into India and Pakistan was a very tragic incident in history. In the border areas many people on both sides were killed because of their religion and caste. Huge cities like Lahore, Amritsar and Calcutta became religious areas. Muslims avoided going to areas of Hindus and Sikhs. Similarly Hindus and Sikhs did not want to go near the Muslim areas. People were forced to flee their homes, suffering a lot of difficulties on their way. Many of the people in the minorities in the border areas had to live in refugee camps.
The governments and the police were not there to help them. People had to walk or ride in some vehicles from their homes to their new places. During the journey, many were attacked and killed; women were raped. Many were forced to accept the majority religion and marry people against their will. In many homes women were killed by their own relatives in the name of honour. Children were separated from their parents and guardians.
People who came to the new land had no houses and they had to live in refugee camps. Not only the land, but even moveable properties like tables and chairs were divided. The government and railway workers were divided. People who were living like brethren were divided. It is believed that between 5 to 10 lakh people lost their lives in this tragic division of the country.
“The division of India into India and Pakistan was not only very painful but also very difficult to decide and to implement.” There were three reasons for that. First of all in British India, there was not a single area which had only Muslims. There were two areas in which the majority was Muslims, one in the West and the other in the East. Therefore Pakistan was formed consisting of two areas – West Pakistan and East Pakistan. Between them there were large areas of Indian Territory.
Secondly, not all areas with majority Muslim population wanted to become part of Pakistan. Khan Abdul Gaffer Khan, who was the leader of the North-Western Province had objected to the Two-Nation Theory. But ignoring his objection, the North West Province was included in Pakistan.
The third problem was that British India’s Punjab and Bengal were areas with Muslim majority. But in these huge provinces there were very many non- Muslims. Therefore the Provinces were divided into Districts and Panchayats depending on the religious majority of the population there. The result was that on the day of Independence many people did’not know to which country they belonged India or Pakistan. It deeply wounded the people.
The problem of the minorities in each country was the worst of all. The Hindus and Sikhs in the Pakistani areas and the Muslims in Punjab and Bengal were unfortunate preys to this division of the country. When the division was decided upon, there was large scale violence against the minorities in both the countries.
Question 33.
The post cold war period witnessed American dominance‘in world politics. Discuss the three strategies exmployed by United State of America to establish and maintain its hegemony in the world.
Answer:
World nations try to gain and maintain dominance over others by using military, economic and cultural power. During the Cold War the fight was between the Soviet Union and America. With the disintegration of the Soviet, Union America remains the only Superpower. Dominance or hegemony is attained through three things:
a) Hard Power
b) Structural Power
c) Soft Power
Hard Power:
This includes military power and the relations between nations. Today America is in the forefront of military power. There is nobody to challenge its military might. It has the capacity to reach any corner of the world any moment. They spend a major part of their budget to maintain this position. They spend huge sums of money for research and technological developments. It is technology that keeps America in the forefront. With their military might they are even ready to police the world, and punish the culprits.
STRUCTURAL POWER:
This dominance is based on the economic structure.. The global economic system relies on America. If America helps the global economic system, it is mainly for their benefits and profits. But America does a lot of good things for the world. For example,’communication channels through the oceans. Merchant ships travel through sea routes and America has much authority on the water transport system. It is the American navy that keeps the sea-routes safe for ships.
The next is the Internet. In fact it was an American military project. It was started in 1950. Today the global network functions using satellites. Most of them belong to America. 28% of the world economy is controlled by America. 15% of the international trade is also done by them. In any economic sector, at least one of out of three biggest companies will be American. The world economic structure follows the Breton Woods style of America. The World Bank, l.M.F. and World Trade Organization etc. are examples of American supremacy in world business and finance.
Now comes another example – the MBA degree. It was America that made this course and the degree so popular. It was Americans who discovered that business is a profession that could be taught. The first Business School was established in Pennsylvania in 1881. Its name was Wharton School. Today in all countries MBA has become a prestigious degree.
Soft Power:
This is the ideological and cultural dominance. America has become the model for all other nations and they try to copy America. In weak countries, America is able to make the people like its culture.
We all speak highly of the American life style and personal success. America is number one in the world. By using soft power, and not force, America is able to achieve this dominance over the world.
