Perestroika

1988 CPA 5942

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Wall of Sorrow on the victims of the Stalin's Gulag at the first exhibition in the USSR about the crimes of Stalinism

President Ronald Reagan greets a young boy while touring Red Square during the Moscow Summit in the USSR

Perestroika (Russian: перестройка) refers to the program of economic and political reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union during the mid-1980s. The term perestroika itself translates to "restructuring" in English, reflecting the comprehensive changes that were aimed at revitalizing the Soviet economy and society. This period marked a significant shift from the strict communist policies that had dominated the Soviet Union since its inception, introducing elements of market economics and promoting increased openness and transparency in government operations, known as glasnost.

Background

The Soviet Union by the early 1980s was grappling with severe economic stagnation, a situation exacerbated by the burdensome costs of maintaining a vast military apparatus and the ongoing Cold War arms race with the United States. The economy was heavily centralized, with state planning committees setting production targets for a vast array of industries, often with little regard for actual market demand. This led to widespread inefficiencies, shortages of consumer goods, and a general decline in the standard of living for many Soviet citizens.

Implementation

Upon assuming the role of General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev embarked on an ambitious plan to overhaul the Soviet system. Perestroika sought to introduce market-like reforms within the socialist framework, such as allowing state enterprises greater autonomy, encouraging the establishment of co-operatives, and introducing some market mechanisms to determine prices and production levels.

Parallel to economic reforms, Gorbachev's policies of glasnost (openness) aimed at increasing transparency in government institutions and encouraging public debate and involvement in the political process. This was a radical departure from the norms of the Soviet political system, which had traditionally suppressed dissent and valued secrecy.

Impact

The implementation of perestroika had far-reaching effects, both domestically and internationally. Economically, the reforms were met with mixed success. While they did introduce some level of innovation and efficiency in certain sectors, the transition was rocky, and the Soviet economy faced significant challenges, including increased inflation and a burgeoning black market.

Politically, perestroika and glasnost led to an unprecedented opening of the Soviet society. It allowed for the emergence of political pluralism, a more vibrant civil society, and ultimately, the questioning of the Communist Party's monopoly on power. Internationally, Gorbachev's policies helped ease tensions with the West, leading to the end of the Cold War.

However, the rapid pace of change and the loosening of central control also contributed to the unraveling of the Soviet Union. Nationalist movements within various Soviet republics gained momentum, leading to declarations of independence and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Legacy

Perestroika is remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of the 20th century, marking the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union and the global shift away from the Cold War paradigm. Its legacy is complex, with some praising Gorbachev's vision and courage in attempting to reform an ossified system, while others criticize the reforms for precipitating the Soviet Union's collapse.