Perestroika And Glasnost Analysis

The information provided in the Summary of Evidence indicates that both perestroika and glasnost significantly contributed to the fall of the USSR. From an economic perspective , perestroika - meaning "economic restructuring", was introduced and launched in 1986. This policy included several radical changes that would better improve the economy. Unfortunately, perestroika was almost a disastrous failure, and arguably the biggest one of the Gorbachev's reforms. An important aspect of this economic crisis was the growing shortage of consumer and agricultural products. Food became scarce and even common grocery items became increasingly difficult to find in state stores. Basic consumer items such as toothpaste, cosmetics and soaps seemingly vanished from the shelves. Inflation rate grew drastically, reaching 200% in 1991 . The economic crisis produced an angry and bitter population, most of whom saw themselves as victims of perestroika rather than benefitting from it. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Gorbachev in 1990 which symbolized his massive international prestige. However, his own people at home has lost faith in the …show more content…
Perestroika was certainly a total failure, as it sought out to decentralize supervision and decision making from the government before a stable market economy was established to replace them. The economy plummeted downward and so did the confidence of the public in the government. The population morale was at its all time low as they felt resentful and constantly demanding for a better life. Glasnost broke down the glue that had held the nation together by revealing the horrific history of the country to the public as well as granting them the right to speak out against it. These negative effects then gave rise to civil unrest, workers strikes and finally the coup d'état in 1991 that led to the dissolution of the