Glasnost: Glasnost means intellectual openness. Gorbachev adopted the policy of Glasnost to relax the restrictive policies that prevented freedom of speech and dissemination (spread) of ideas. It allowed public debate and political issues and therefore encouraged criticism of Soviet policies and society.The aim of the policy was to create an internal debate among Soviet citizens, and to encourage a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the reform of the Soviet Union. The media was allowed greater freedom to express opinions that would have been condemned previously.Failures of Soviet government were allowed to be revealed, such as the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl. This was soon seen in areas such as human rights and cultural affairs. Several political prisoners were released.
In matters of culture and the media in general, there were some startling developments. in May 1986, both the Union of Soviet Film-Makers and the Union of Writers were allowed to sack their reactionary heads and elect more independent minded leaders. Long-banned anti-Stalin films and novels were shown and published.
There was new freedom in news reporting. in April 1986, for example, when a nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in Ukraine exploded, killing hundreds of people and releasing a massive radioactive cloud, which drifted over most of Europe, the disaster was discussed with unprecedented frankness. The aim of this new approach was to use media to publicize the inefficiency and corruption, which the government was so anxious to stamp out; educate public opinion and mobilize support for the new policies. Glasnost was encouraged provided nobody criticised the party itself. However, the policy developed a momentum of its own as people became more confident in speaking out while the failings of Soviet society became apparent and the economic reform programme failed.
Perestroika: Perestroika means 'restructuring'. It was the term used by Gorbachev for economic reform in the Soviet Union in the late 1980's. It was intended to be a systematized programme and concrete strategy for the country's further development. The programme reached into all areas of the Soviet system: science and technology, economy and changes in investment policy. The aim was to base the system on local autonomy and self-management. Small scale private enterprise such as family businesses were encouraged. Workers cooperatives were set up with a maximum of fifty workers.This helped provide competition to the slow and inefficient services provided by the state. There was also a need to reduce alcoholism and absenteeism among the workforce. The Law on State Enterprises was enacted.
In matters of culture and the media in general, there were some startling developments. in May 1986, both the Union of Soviet Film-Makers and the Union of Writers were allowed to sack their reactionary heads and elect more independent minded leaders. Long-banned anti-Stalin films and novels were shown and published.
There was new freedom in news reporting. in April 1986, for example, when a nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in Ukraine exploded, killing hundreds of people and releasing a massive radioactive cloud, which drifted over most of Europe, the disaster was discussed with unprecedented frankness. The aim of this new approach was to use media to publicize the inefficiency and corruption, which the government was so anxious to stamp out; educate public opinion and mobilize support for the new policies. Glasnost was encouraged provided nobody criticised the party itself. However, the policy developed a momentum of its own as people became more confident in speaking out while the failings of Soviet society became apparent and the economic reform programme failed.
Perestroika: Perestroika means 'restructuring'. It was the term used by Gorbachev for economic reform in the Soviet Union in the late 1980's. It was intended to be a systematized programme and concrete strategy for the country's further development. The programme reached into all areas of the Soviet system: science and technology, economy and changes in investment policy. The aim was to base the system on local autonomy and self-management. Small scale private enterprise such as family businesses were encouraged. Workers cooperatives were set up with a maximum of fifty workers.This helped provide competition to the slow and inefficient services provided by the state. There was also a need to reduce alcoholism and absenteeism among the workforce. The Law on State Enterprises was enacted.
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