Highlight any three positive and three negative features each of the Soviet System in the Soviet Union.

OR

How far it is correct to say the international alliances during the Cold War era were determined by the requirements of the superpowers and the calculations of the smaller states ? Explain.

Positive features:
i. Soviet System was more developed than rest of the world except U.S.A.

ii. Minimum standard of living was insured for all the citizens

iii. The Govt. subsidized the basic needs including health, education etc.

iv. There was no unemployment.
Negative features:

i. System was very bureaucratic and authoritarian.

ii. Lack of democracy and absence of freedom in many fields.

iii. There was only one party system.

iv. The party did not recognize the aspirations and feelings of people

                                                                  OR
The smaller states were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to

(i) vital resources, such as oil and minerals,

(ii) territory, from where the superpowers could launch their weapons and troops,

(iii) locations from where they could spy on each other, and

(iv) economic support, in that many small allies together could help pay for military expenses.

They were also important for ideological reasons. The loyalty of allies suggested that the superpowers were winning the war of ideas as well, that liberal democracy and capitalism were better than socialism and communism, or vice versa.