America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

One major change attributed to Gorbachev's policies in the Soviet Union is the introduction of more political freedoms and market openness. Gorbachev's initiatives, particularly through his policies of Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), aimed to revitalize the Soviet economy and promote transparency in government.

Glasnost encouraged greater freedom of expression and a reduction in censorship, allowing citizens to participate more actively in political discourse. This shift enabled a cultural and intellectual renaissance, which contributed to demands for reform and greater democratic practices. Meanwhile, Perestroika sought to restructure the economy by introducing elements of market economics, which included allowing some degree of private enterprise and foreign investment.

These reforms marked a dramatic departure from the previous authoritarian and centrally planned economic approach, fundamentally changing the landscape of Soviet society and weakening the grip of the Communist Party over public life. Ultimately, these changes set the stage for significant political transformations that culminated in the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.