india and russia flashcards

All 49 cards

1. Card 1

   Define 'Non-alignment' as a core concept of India's foreign policy after independence.

   Non-alignment meant that India chose not to formally align itself with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Despite this neutrality, India remained active in global politics, advocating for autonomy and peace while avoiding military alliances.

2. Card 2

   How did Cold War events influence India's relationship with the Soviet Union under Indira Gandhi?

   Cold War pressures, particularly the cessation of US aid to India in the 1960s and the US's closer relationship with Pakistan, pushed India towards the Soviet Union. This led to a security agreement in 1971, making the USSR India's main partner, especially for military support, under Indira Gandhi's leadership.

3. Card 3

   What characterized India's economic system for many years prior to the 1990s?

   Prior to the 1990s, India followed a closed economic system. This was characterized by very high tariffs, strict import limits, and strong restrictions on foreign investment, which significantly reduced its role in global trade and hindered economic growth.

4. Card 4

   According to the study guide, what does 'Regional hegemony' imply about India's foreign policy under Indira Gandhi?

   Regional hegemony implies that India became a dominant power in South Asia under Indira Gandhi. This policy meant India believed no foreign country should interfere in nearby countries and actively intervened to protect its interests and influence in the region, akin to a 'Monroe Doctrine' for South Asia.

5. Card 5

   Which of the following best describes India's foreign policy approach after the 1990s economic opening?

   A. Continued non-alignment and isolationism. B. Increased trade integration and cooperation with the US. C. Renewed focus on a closed economy. D. Aggressive military expansion in South Asia. The correct option is B. Post-1990s, India moved from isolation to increased trade integration, improved its economy, and built stronger relations with countries like the US, becoming more involved in global organizations.

6. Card 6

   Explain Aseema Sinha's concept of India as a 'link power'.

   Aseema Sinha describes India as a 'link power' because it acts as a bridge between developed and developing countries. India balances between different global sides and helps foster cooperation, occupying a middle position that is neither fully inside nor outside the existing international system.

7. Card 7

   What does 'Partial accommodation without conflict' mean in the context of India's foreign policy, as conceptualized by Aseema Sinha?

   Partial accommodation without conflict signifies India's strategy of accepting the global system in part, but also working to change it slowly from within. India avoids direct conflict with major powers, preferring cooperation and maintaining a strategic balance between independence and engagement.

8. Card 8

   How does India's strategy of 'peaceful rise' differentiate it from traditional rising powers?

   India's strategy of 'peaceful rise' emphasizes growing power without being aggressive. Instead of relying on military force, it uses diplomacy, culture (soft power), and economic strength (geo-economics) to influence others, aiming to lead without military conflict.

9. Card 9

   Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the Soviet Union prior to its collapse in 1991?

   A. A communist system. B. Strong central control. C. A multipolar global system. D. Expansion of influence in Eastern Europe. The correct option is C. The Soviet Union was one of two superpowers during the Cold War, contributing to a bipolar global system, not a multipolar one, until its collapse.

10. Card 10

    What was the primary reason for India's shift towards the Soviet Union in the 1970s?

    The primary reason for India's shift towards the Soviet Union in the 1970s was the cessation of US aid to India in the 1960s and the US's growing closeness with Pakistan, which created distrust and pushed India to seek military and political support from the USSR, culminating in the 1971 treaty.

11. Card 11

    Who was Jawaharlal Nehru and what was his key contribution to India's foreign policy?

    Jawaharlal Nehru was India's first Prime Minister and is credited with creating the non-alignment policy. This policy ensured India's independence in world politics by not joining either the US or USSR bloc during the Cold War, while still remaining globally active.

12. Card 12

    What were the main drivers of India's rise as a global power, according to the study guide?

    India's rise is driven by several factors, including sustained economic development, increasing military capability, ongoing internal reforms, and access to resources. Furthermore, international acceptance and how other countries react to its growth also play a crucial role.

13. Card 13

    How did India's 'political activity + economic retreat' policy manifest in the post-independence era?

    This policy meant that India was very active in world politics, advocating for non-alignment, autonomy, and peace. However, simultaneously, it reduced its engagement in global markets, focusing instead on internal economic development through a closed economic system.

14. Card 14

    What was the significance of the 1971 India-USSR Treaty?

    The 1971 India-USSR Treaty was a security agreement that solidified the Soviet Union as India's main partner, particularly for military support. This event marked a significant shift in India's foreign policy, moving closer to the USSR due to Cold War pressures and US-Pakistan relations.

15. Card 15

    Distinguish between 'Soft power' and 'Geo-economics' in the context of India's strategy.

    Soft power refers to India's influence through its culture, values, and diplomacy, appealing to others rather than coercing them. Geo-economics, on the other hand, involves using India's economic strength and trade relationships as a tool to exert influence and achieve strategic objectives globally.

16. Card 16

    Which of the following best describes the global system during the Cold War period, according to the Russia section?

    A. Unipolar system. B. Multipolar system. C. Bipolar system. D. Anarchic system. The correct option is C. The Cold War was characterized by a bipolar system, with the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR) as the two dominant superpowers.

17. Card 17

    What role do non-government actors play in supporting India's rise?

    India's rise is not solely driven by the government; non-government actors also play a crucial role. Business groups contribute to economic growth, while the growing middle class, professionals, and students all contribute to the country's development and shared influence on the global stage.

18. Card 18

    What potential future consequences are identified for India's increasing resource demand and expansion?

    India's increasing resource demand will likely lead to its expansion into new regions, such as Africa. This expansion could create competition with rising powers like China, but also foster opportunities for cooperation in certain areas.

19. Card 19

    Who was Indira Gandhi and what were her key contributions to India's foreign policy?

    Indira Gandhi was an Indian Prime Minister who significantly moved India closer to the Soviet Union, leading to the 1971 treaty. She also strengthened India's regional power strategy, establishing it as a dominant force in South Asia and intervening in nearby countries to protect national interests.

20. Card 20

    How did India's closed economic system impact its share in world trade?

    India's closed economic system, characterized by high tariffs, import restrictions, and limits on foreign investment, significantly reduced its role in global trade. This policy led to a decline in its share of world trade, effectively making India less globally integrated economically.

21. Card 21

    What is the primary difference in how India and China are viewed as rising powers?

    Both India and China are recognized as rising powers, but India views China as a major regional rival, creating competition between them. While competition exists, India prefers peaceful strategies and avoids direct conflict, unlike potential more aggressive stances.

22. Card 22

    Which historical event marked the beginning of communist rule in Russia?

    A. The Cold War. B. The Collapse of the USSR. C. The Russian Revolution. D. World War II. The correct option is C. The Russian Revolution in 1917 marked the start of communist rule and the eventual formation of the Soviet Union.

23. Card 23

    What does the concept of 'autonomy' mean for India's foreign policy?

    Autonomy in India's foreign policy means the ability to make its own decisions independently, free from external control or influence by major powers. This was a foundational principle established after independence, alongside non-alignment.

24. Card 24

    What is the 'Monroe Doctrine' equivalent concept that India adopted under Indira Gandhi regarding its region?

    Under Indira Gandhi, India adopted a concept similar to the Monroe Doctrine, which implied that no foreign country should interfere in nearby South Asian countries. India asserted its role to protect its national interests and influence in the region, leading to interventions in places like Sri Lanka and Maldives.

25. Card 25

    According to the study guide, what is the 'uncertain impact' of India's future global role?

    The 'uncertain impact' of India's future global role refers to the ambiguity regarding whether its rise will primarily contribute to global peace and cooperation or instead increase international competition and potential conflict. India aims to be seen as a responsible actor, despite facing domestic challenges.

26. Card 26

    What is the primary focus of the Putin Doctrine regarding Russia's global position?

    The Putin Doctrine emphasizes restoring Russia as a great power and asserting an independent foreign policy, free from Western influence. It seeks a new international order where Russia has equal power and supports a multipolar world led by multiple strong countries, not just the US.

27. Card 27

    Define 'hard balancing' as one of Russia's strategies to increase its power.

    Hard balancing refers to Russia's use of military actions to protect its interests and challenge the US. This strategy involves direct application of military power to achieve its foreign policy objectives.

28. Card 28

    How did the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 impact Russia's global standing?

    The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 caused Russia to lose significant power and influence globally. It led to a period of economic and political weakness, as the country transitioned from communism and centralized control.

29. Card 29

    What is 'normative accommodation' in the context of a rising power being accepted into the global system?

    Normative accommodation means accepting a rising power's ideas and values into the global system. It involves recognizing and integrating its unique perspectives and principles into international norms and discussions.

30. Card 30

    Identify the three main strategies Russia uses to increase its power and challenge the US.

    Russia uses three main strategies: limited hard balancing (military actions), soft or negative balancing (blocking Western decisions and using political influence), and trying to divide the US from its European allies to weaken Western unity.

31. Card 31

    What significant event in 2014 severely damaged relations between Russia and the West?

    The Ukraine crisis in 2014, specifically Russia's annexation of Crimea and its involvement in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, severely damaged relations between Russia and the West, leading to sanctions and increased tension.

32. Card 32

    According to the source, what role do non-government actors like businesses and the middle class play in India's rise?

    Non-government actors such as business groups, the middle class, professionals, and students all contribute significantly to India's growth. They are seen as supporting India's rise, indicating that its development is not solely driven by the government.

33. Card 33

    Who was the leader responsible for strengthening the Russian state and improving its economy, primarily through oil and gas, after the Yeltsin period?

    Vladimir Putin was the leader who strengthened the Russian state, improved the economy mainly through oil and gas, and focused on restoring Russia's global power after the post-Soviet weakness under Boris Yeltsin.

34. Card 34

    What does 'multipolar world' mean in the context of the Putin Doctrine?

    In the context of the Putin Doctrine, a 'multipolar world' refers to an international order led by multiple powerful countries, rather than being dominated by a single superpower like the United States. Russia advocates for a system where many strong nations share influence.

35. Card 35

    What was the primary economic system of the Soviet Union? A) Free-market capitalism B) Mixed economy C) Communism with strong central control D) Feudalism

    C) Communism with strong central control. The Soviet Union operated under a communist system where the government controlled the economy and made decisions through a centralized power structure.

36. Card 36

    How does Russia view NATO expansion?

    Russia views NATO expansion as a security threat and believes the West is trying to limit its power. The growing proximity of the Western alliance to Russia's borders has significantly increased tension between Russia and the West.

37. Card 37

    What is 'economic accommodation' in the context of integrating a rising power?

    Economic accommodation means including a rising power in global trade and the international economy. It involves integrating the country into existing economic structures and allowing it to participate fully in global commerce.

38. Card 38

    What is the concept of 'link power' associated with Aseema Sinha in relation to India?

    Aseema Sinha is associated with the concept of 'link power' in relation to India. While the source doesn't elaborate, it suggests a connection between power and partial accommodation, implying India's ability to connect different international actors or systems.

39. Card 39

    What were the main characteristics of Russia during the 'Yeltsin period' (1991–1999)?

    During the Yeltsin period (1991–1999), Russia was characterized by post-USSR weakness, both economically and politically. The country attempted to transition to democracy and capitalism but faced many problems, leading to a period of instability.

40. Card 40

    What is one potential future consequence of India's rise regarding resource demand and regional expansion?

    India's rise will likely lead to increased demand for resources, such as energy and materials. This may prompt India to expand its influence into new regions, such as Africa, potentially creating both competition and cooperation with other powers like China.

41. Card 41

    Which of the following individuals is known for reforms that ultimately led to the collapse of the USSR? A) Vladimir Lenin B) Joseph Stalin C) Mikhail Gorbachev D) Boris Yeltsin

    C) Mikhail Gorbachev. Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms in the 1980s are widely credited with weakening the Soviet system and ultimately leading to its collapse in 1991.

42. Card 42

    What does 'soft or negative balancing' entail as one of Russia's strategies?

    Soft or negative balancing involves Russia using political influence and diplomatic maneuvers to block Western decisions and undermine their initiatives. This strategy focuses on non-military means to challenge Western power and unity.

43. Card 43

    What is 'territorial accommodation' in the context of accepting a rising power?

    Territorial accommodation means accepting a rising power's control over certain regions. This involves acknowledging its legitimate sphere of influence or territorial claims within the international system.

44. Card 44

    What was the significance of the 1971 treaty for India under Indira Gandhi?

    Under Indira Gandhi, the 1971 treaty with the USSR was significant as it strengthened India's position as a regional power. This alliance provided strategic support, particularly during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

45. Card 45

    What key concept describes Russia's desire to be treated equally with countries like the US in global decisions?

    Russia's desire to be treated equally with countries like the US in global decisions is encapsulated by the concept of wanting 'equal status' or being part of the 'great powers club.' This signifies its aspiration for recognized parity in international affairs.

46. Card 46

    How does India aim to be perceived on the global stage, despite the uncertainty of its future impact?

    Despite the uncertain impact of its future rise, India wants to be seen as a responsible actor on the global stage. This implies a desire to act carefully and contribute to peace rather than increasing conflict, even while facing domestic challenges.

47. Card 47

    What is 'institutional accommodation' in the context of integrating a rising power into the global system?

    Institutional accommodation means giving a rising country a role in global organizations. This involves integrating the power into international bodies like the UN Security Council or G8 (though Russia was later removed), granting it a voice and influence in global governance.

48. Card 48

    Who is associated with the theory of accommodation, as mentioned in the context of Russia?

    T.V. Paul is associated with the theory of accommodation, which discusses how rising powers are accepted into the global system. Nicola Contessi also wrote about Russia's accommodation.

49. Card 49

    What was a major internal problem faced by the Soviet system by the 1980s that contributed to its collapse?

    By the 1980s, the Soviet system became weak internally, contributing to its eventual collapse. This weakness stemmed from systemic issues within its communist and centrally controlled economic and political structures.

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