Page 1 :
CONSEQUENCES OF DISINTEGRATION, , 28, , The collapse of the second world of the Soviet Union and the socialist systems in eastern, Europe had profound consequences for world politics., Let us note here three broad kinds of enduring changes that resulted, ted from it:it:, First, , Second, , 1. It meant the end of Cold War confrontations., 2. The ideological dispute over whether the socialist system would beat the capitalist system was not, an issue any more., 3. The end of the confrontation demanded an end to this arms race and a poss, possible, ible new peace., 1. Power relations in world politics changed and, therefore, the relative influence of ideas and, institutions also changed., 2. The end of the Cold War left, eft open only two possibilities., a. Either, ither the remaining superpower would dominate and create a unipolar system., syst, b. Different countries or groups of countries could become important players in the, international system, thereby bringing in a multipolar system where no one power could, dominate., The US became the sole superpower., , 1. Backed by the power and prestige of the US, the capitalist economy was now the dominant, economic system internationally., 2. Institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund became powerful advisors to all, these countries since they gave them loans for their transitions to capitalism…, capitalism, Politically the notion of liberal democracy emerged as the best way to organise political life.
Page 2 :
Third, , 29, , 1. The end of the Soviet bloc meant the emergence of many new countries., 2. All these countries had their own independent aspirations and choices., 3. Some of them, especially, ly the Baltic and east European states,, wanted to join the, European Union and become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, (NATO)., 4. The Central Asian countries wanted to take advantage of their geographical location, and continue their close ties with Russia and also to establish ties with the West, the, US, China and others., 5. The international system saw many new players emerge, each with its own identity,, interests, and economic and political difficulties.
Page 3 :
SHOCK THERAPY IN POST-COMMUNIST REGIMES, 30
