- Gorbachev → called for open debate on govt policy + honestly in facing up to all problems
- Glasnost not detailed set of policies → but it did mean radical change
e.g. → would allow open political debate by Comm Party members → who disagreed with govt. would also allow criticism of govt in media
Backfired → released much resentment against comm govt. Glasnost also exposed shortcomings of govt officials → such as inefficiency / corruption.
- led to decreasing confidence in party
soviets also further exposed to aspects of outside world → esp. better quality of life in US and WE countries → through popular Western Culture
Result → Positive picture of soviet life that govt previously presented to public → fell apart.
- many in soviet bloc → felt deceived + lost confidence in vision + rule of comm govts.
- hence instead of rallying the people behind reforms of ‘openness’ → glasnost had unintentionally → created platform which unleashed criticism of communist rule → eventually bought abt disintegration of USSR