CBSE Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 4 Alternative Centers of Power is part of Class 12 Political Science Notes for Quick Revision. Here we have given NCERT Political Science Class 12 Notes Chapter 4 Alternative Centers of Power.

These notes have been prepared by Mudasir Anwar (M.Phil Political Science).

Political Science Class 12 Notes Chapter 4 Alternative Centers of Power

WRITE A SHORT NOTE ON EUROPEAN UNION?

European Union is an economic and political union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. 

The European Union traces its origin from the European Coal and Steel community 1951. In the intervening years European Union has grown in size by the accession of new member states. The Maastricht Treaty {Netherlands} established European Union under its current name. European Union has economic, political, diplomatic and military influence.

WRITE DOWN THE THREE MAIN FEATURES OF EUROPEAN UNION?

Following are the 3 main features of European Union

1. European Union is the worlds largest economy with a GDP of more than 12 trillion dollars in 2005.
2. European Union has its own flag, anthem, founding date and currency.
3. Its currency Euro can pose a threat to the dominance of the US dollar.

EXPLAIN THE FACTORS WHICH LED TO THE FORMATION OF EUROPEAN UNION?

Following are the factors that led to the formation of European Union.

1. In 1949 the council of Europe was established for coordinating the policies of the member states.
2. In 1951 six countries of western Europe (Italy) France, Belgium, Holland, West Germany and Luxemburg signed the treaty of Paris and formed European coal and steel community (ECSC).
3. In 1957, six countries who established ECSC signed treaty called treaty of Rome and established European Economic Community {EEC):
4. In 1979 a parliament of European Economic Community was established. Members of European Parliament are directly elected.
5. In 1992 treaty of Maashtrict was signed and European Union was established.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN AIMS OF EUROPEAN UNION?

The main aims of European Union are as under

1. To keep peace between the countries.
2. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT:- allowing people to move from one European
   Union country to another.
3. FREE MOVEMENT OF CAPITAL:- money can be easily moved from a country to another.
4. FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS:- moving items and imports between countries.

WRITE A SHORT NOTE ON ASEAN?

Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a region organization as well as economic organization of 10 countries of South East Asian. It was formed in 8 august 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand in Bangkok Declaration. It has expanded to include Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Loas, and Vietnam. It headquarters are in Jakarta Indonesia. First summit of Asean was held in Bali Indonesia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF ASEAN

Following are the main aims of ASEAN

1. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development of this region.
2. To promote regional peace and stability.
3. To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on the matters of common interest in various fields.
4. To collaborate in the development of agriculture, trade and industries.
5. Not to intervene in one another’s domestic affairs.

NAME THE PILLARS OF THE ASEAN?

In the summit 2003, ASEAN decided to establish an ASEAN community.

ASEAN community consists of 3 main pillars namely:

1. The ASEAN security community.
2. The ASEAN economic community.
3. The ASEAN socio- cultural community.

OBJECTIVES OF ASEAN COMMUNITY

The objectives of ASEAN Community are as under:

1. To accelerate economic growth.
2. Development of culture and social progress.
3. To safeguard the economic interests of member states.
4. To promote regional peace and stability.
5. To create a common market and production base for ASEAN countries.

WRITE A SHORT NOTE ON ASEAN VISION 2020?

ASEAN’S Vision 2020 has defined an outward looking role of ASEAN in the International community. In its Vision 2020 ASEAN has hoped that it will become very strong in economy that it will be able to play an important role in International affairs. ASEAN would encourage respect for sovereign rights of the member states.

EXAMINE INDIA’S STAND AND STATUS IN ASEAN?

During cold war Indian foreign policy did not pay adequate attention towards ASEAN. But after cold war India has changed its policy towards ASEAN.

India signed Free Trade Agreements {FTA} with 2 ASEAN members, Singapore and Thailand and is trying to sign FT with ASEAN itself. India is also acting as an observer to the association.

EXAMINE ECONOMIC POWER IN POST MAO ERA?

Under Mao Chinese economy WAS BASED ON Soviet model i.e, centrally planned economy without private business. 

Following the Mao’s death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping began to reform the Chinese economy and moved towards a more market oriented mixed economy under one party rule. 

In 1978 china improved relations with Japan which became important foreign donor. In post Mao’s market reforms, a variety of private enterprises were encouraged and SEZ’S were established. 

In 1978, china adopted ‘open door policy’ and privatized agriculture in 1982 and industry in 1998. Chinese invest and export led economy has grown almost a hundredfold and is the fastest growing major economy in the world. 

According to IMF Chinese annual average GDP growth between 2001 and 2010 was 10.5 per cent. China is now member of WTO {2001} and is second largest trading power behind USA, with a total International trade value of 3.64 trillion dollars in 2011.China is projected to overtake the US as the worlds largest economy by 2040.

INSTEAD OF OPTING FOR SHOCK THERAPY, CHINA ADOPTED A MARKET ECONOMY. WAS IT SUCCESSFUL?

China instead of opting for Shock Therapy, adopted a new path i.e, market economy. The privatization of agriculture in 1982 was followed by the privatization of industry in 1988. 

Trade barriers were removed in special economic zones (SEZ’s ) where foreign investors could set up enterprises. China is a member of WTO. With this china have become the 2nd largest trading economy in the world and is projected to overtake the US as the worlds largest economy by 2040.

Write a short note on Sino India Relations or Write a short note on India China Relations.

For centuries China and India have lived as friendly neighbours. Buddhism religion has made a significant contribution in developing relations between the two countries. In 1949 communist Revolution occurred in china and India was one of the first to recognize communist china thereby helping her to become part of the world community. In 1954 India signed an agreement known as Panchsheel Pact or five Principles of Peaceful co-existence with china. But in 1962 china waged war against India. In this war India suffered alot. Since then there is volatile relations between India and china. Diplomatic relations between the 2 countries were downgraded until 1976. Thereafter, relations between the 2 countries improved slowly. In 1988, the then P.M Rajiv Gandhi visited china. With this new phase of friendly relations between the 2 countries were downgraded until 1976. Thereafter, relations between two the 2 countries improved slowly. In 1988, the then P M Rajiv Gandhi visited china. With this new phase of friendly relations between the 2 countries began. From 1988 there have several official visits between the leaders of these 2 neighbours: Since 2001 trade has been restored between countries. China-India trade has increased to more than 18 million dollars in 2006.

IDENTIFY THE ISSUES BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA?

India and china have a controversy over Mac Mohan line, the border between India and china.

1. china entered into military alliances with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and these agreements pose threat to India.
2. china always supports Pakistan.
3. Problem OF Tibet is always a major issue in indo-china relations.

Points To Remember About Alternative Centers Of Power

1. China became the member of WTO in 2001.
2. Schengen Agreement abolished border controls among the European Union.
3. China attacked Tibet in 1950 and at that time Dalai Lama was the political and religious head of Tibet.
4. In 1948 council of Europe was established.
5. In October 1990 the unification of Germany took place.
6. In 1994 ASEAN Regional Forum {ARF} was established.
7. The currency of European Union Euro and Chinese is Yuan.
8. Premier Zhou Enlai proposed the 4 modernizations. Agriculture, Industry, Science and Military in 1973.
9. In 2002, Euro, the new currency in, was introduced in European union members.
10. Under Marshal Plan the organization for European economic co-operation was established in 1948.
11. FTA stands for Free Trade Agreement.