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New Centres of Power – Class 12 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Political Science, chapter 2. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

After the Cold War, new centres of economic and political power emerged alongside the USA. The European Union and ASEAN show how regional cooperation can increase influence, while China has become a major economic power since its reforms of 1978. Japan and South Korea are also important economies. India's relations with these centres, especially China, are a mix of cooperation and competition.

European Union

European integration began after the Second World War; the Maastricht Treaty (1992) established the European Union.
The EU has a common currency, the euro, used by many members, a single market, and common institutions such as a parliament.
It is a major economic and political force, though members differ on foreign and defence policy.

ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; it now has ten members.
The 'ASEAN Way' emphasises informal, non-confrontational cooperation and respect for sovereignty.
It has created free trade arrangements and the ASEAN Regional Forum for security dialogue; India engages with it through its Act East policy.

Rise of China and Asian economies

China adopted economic reforms and an open-door policy from 1978, attracting foreign investment and becoming a manufacturing and trading giant.
Japan is a technologically advanced economy, and South Korea grew rapidly through industrialisation.
India–China relations include the Panchsheel agreement (1954), the 1962 war, boundary disputes, and growing trade alongside strategic rivalry.

Key terms

European Union: an economic and political union of European countries established by the Maastricht Treaty
Euro: the common currency of many EU members
ASEAN: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, formed in 1967
Open-door policy: China's policy of opening its economy to foreign trade and investment from 1978
Act East policy: India's policy of strengthening ties with Southeast and East Asia

Important questions with answers

What is the 'ASEAN Way'?2 marks

The ASEAN Way is the style of cooperation among ASEAN members that is informal, based on consultation and consensus, avoids confrontation and respects the sovereignty of each member. It has helped ASEAN maintain cooperation among diverse countries.

Why is the European Union considered a powerful economic and political actor?3 marks

The EU has a large single market and a combined economy among the largest in the world, a common currency used by many members, common institutions such as a parliament and court, and significant influence in trade negotiations and international organisations. Two of its members have long had permanent seats in the UN Security Council.

Explain the rise of new centres of power after the Cold War, with reference to the EU, ASEAN and China.5 marks

After the Cold War, the world saw the emergence of new centres of power that challenged the dominance of the USA, particularly in economics. The European Union grew out of post-war European integration; the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 established it, and it developed a single market, a common currency, the euro, and common institutions such as the European Parliament. Its economic size, trade influence and diplomatic presence make it a major actor, though its members sometimes disagree on foreign and defence policies. ASEAN, formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and now with ten members, promoted economic growth and regional stability through the ASEAN Way of informal, consensus-based cooperation, free trade agreements and forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum. China emerged as a major power after adopting economic reforms and an open-door policy in 1978, which attracted foreign investment, expanded exports and lifted millions out of poverty, making it one of the largest economies in the world. Japan and South Korea also became important economies. India relates to these centres through trade, the Act East policy towards ASEAN, and a complex relationship with China that combines growing trade with boundary disputes and strategic rivalry.

Quick revision

EU: Maastricht 1992, euro, single market.
ASEAN: 1967, ten members, ASEAN Way.
China's reforms from 1978.
Japan, South Korea; India–China relations.

Exam tips

Remember: Maastricht Treaty 1992; ASEAN 1967 with five founders.
Write one area of cooperation and one of conflict in India–China relations.

Practice MCQs

The European Union was established by the
1. Treaty of Versailles
2. Maastricht Treaty
3. Panchsheel
4. Simla Agreement
Show answer
Answer: (b) Maastricht Treaty. It was signed in 1992.
ASEAN was formed in
1. 1945
2. 1967
3. 1985
4. 1991
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1967. It began with five members.
The common currency of many EU countries is the
1. euro
2. dollar
3. yen
4. pound
Show answer
Answer: (a) euro. It came into use from 1999.
China began its economic reforms and open-door policy in
1. 1949
2. 1962
3. 1978
4. 1991
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1978. It led to rapid growth.
The informal, consensus-based style of ASEAN cooperation is called the
1. Panchsheel
2. Monroe Doctrine
3. ASEAN Way
4. Bandung spirit
Show answer
Answer: (c) ASEAN Way. It avoids confrontation.
The Panchsheel agreement was signed between India and
1. Pakistan
2. Nepal
3. China
4. USSR
Show answer
Answer: (c) China. It was signed in 1954.
Which statement about the EU is correct
1. it has a single market and common institutions, though members differ on some policies
2. it has no common institutions
3. it is a military alliance only
4. it includes all Asian states
Show answer
Answer: (a) it has a single market and common institutions, though members differ on some policies. It is a supranational union.
India's engagement with Southeast Asia through ASEAN is part of its
1. Act East policy
2. Look West policy
3. non-cooperation policy
4. isolation policy
Show answer
Answer: (a) Act East policy. It strengthens economic and strategic ties.

All chapters of Class 12 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.