Glasnost: Openness and Transparency
- Glasnost means "openness" in Russian.
- Aimed to increase transparency in government and encourage public discussion.
Glasnost was not just about freedom of speech; it was a strategic move to identify and address the USSR's deep-rooted problems.
- Implementation
- Relaxation of censorship: Allowed criticism of the government and exposure of past atrocities, such as Stalin's purges.
- Free press: Journalists could report on previously taboo topics like corruption and economic failures.
- Public debate: Citizens were encouraged to participate in political discussions and reforms.
- Impact
- Positive: Fostered a culture of openness and innovation.
- Negative: Unleashed a wave of criticism that undermined the legitimacy of the Communist Party.
In 1986, the Chernobyl disaster was initially covered up, but glasnost forced the government to admit the truth, highlighting the need for transparency.
Perestroika: Economic Restructuring
- Perestroika means "restructuring" in Russian.
- Aimed to revitalize the Soviet economy by introducing market-oriented reforms.
Perestroika was not an abandonment of socialism but an attempt to modernize it by incorporating elements of a market economy.
- Key Reforms:
- Decentralization: Gave more autonomy to state enterprises.
- Private enterprise: Allowed small-scale private businesses (cooperatives) to operate.
- Foreign investment: Encouraged joint ventures with Western companies.
- Impact
- Positive: Introduced innovation and efficiency in some sectors.
- Negative: Lack of clear direction and resistance from hardliners led to economic chaos and shortages.
When analyzing perestroika, consider how its failure to fully embrace market reforms contributed to the economic collapse of the USSR.
New Thinking in Foreign Policy
- Shift from Confrontation to Cooperation
- Gorbachev abandoned the Brezhnev Doctrine, which justified Soviet intervention in Eastern Europe.
- Promoted the concept of "reasonable sufficiency" in military defense, reducing the arms race.
The Brezhnev Doctrine was replaced by the Sinatra Doctrine, allowing Eastern European countries to "do it their way" without Soviet interference.
- Key Actions
