Perestroika
Definition
Perestroika was a political movement within the Communist Party of USSR during 1980s, led by Mikhail Gorbachev, which aimed at reforming failing economic structures and reducing corruption without abandoning socialism entirely.
Analogy
If a restaurant is failing because of bad food and service, perestroika would be like the owner deciding to revamp the menu and retrain staff instead of shutting down or selling the place.
Related terms
Glasnost: A policy emphasizing openness, transparency in government institutions and activities in USSR. It was another part of Gorbachev's reform efforts.
Mikhail Gorbachev: The last General Secretary of the Communist Party of USSR who introduced major reforms - Perestroika (economic restructuring) and Glasnost (openness).
Fall of Soviet Union: The dissolution of USSR in 1991, which was an indirect result of economic pressures, nationalism, and reforms initiated under perestroika.
"Perestroika" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (4)
“Perestroika is an urgent necessity arising from the profound processes of development in our socialist society. This society is ripe for change. It has long been yearning for it. Any delay in beginning perestroika could have led to an exacerbated internal situation in the near future, which, to put it bluntly, would have been fraught with serious social, economic and political crises.” The above words are taken from a 1986 speech by which of the following world leaders?
Who introduced policies of perestroika and glasnost to the USSR?
Who initiated policy reforms known as Glasnost and Perestroika towards end of Cold war?
How might history be altered if Mikhail Gorbachev did not introduce Perestroika and Glasnost policies?
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