Gorbachev Revisited

An interesting op-ed piece recently in the New York Times by Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of Soviet Russia, gives an interesting perspective to not only the transition of the USSR into Russia, but how Russian politics are working today, and in some ways regressing back to old ways. Gorbachev talks about the Perestroika, which this month celebrates its 25 anniversary. The Perestroika was a series of political and economic reforms enforced by Gorbachev's goverment in order to save Soviet Russia. However, Gorbachev concedes the government was already too far gone for the Perestorika to single handely save it. In a suprising turn, Gorbachev underlines some of the major pit falls and mistakes made during his time as leader of Soviet Russia. However, ultimately (and quite predictably) maintains the Perestroika while late, had valuable contributions that are undermined by today's government in Russia. Gorbachev ultimately suggests (somewhat ironically) there is great instability within Russia, and that people are living within a state of political fear-- a position in which it makes it difficult for Russia to move forward democratically.