What was the Soviet System? Assess any four features of the Soviet System.

Or

Examine the relevance of the Non- aligned Movement after the Cold War era.

The Soviet system gave primacy to the state and the institution of the party. This system centred around the Communist Party and no other political party was allowed. The economy was planned and controlled by the state.

 Features of the Soviet system:

 (i) The Soviet System was very bureaucratic and authoritarian.

 (ii) Lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech.

 (iii) Tight control over all institutions and was unaccountable to the people.

 (iv) Russia dominated everything and people from other regions felt neglected and often suppressed. 

                                                                                   OR
Non-alignment, after the cold war in 1991, both as an international movement and as the core of Indian‘s foreign policy, lost some of its earlier relevance and effectiveness.

 (i) However, Non alignment contained some core value and enduring ideas.

 (ii) It was based on the recognition that decolonized states share a historical affiliation and can become a powerful force it they come together.

 (iii) It meant that the poor and often very small countries of the world need not become followers of any of the big powers, that they could pursue an independent foreign policy.

 (v) It was also based on a resolve to democratize the international system by thinking about an alternative world order to redress existing inequalities.

 These core ideas remain relevant even after the cold war has ended.