glasnosts

Glasnost is a Russian word meaning "openness" and was a key policy enacted by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. It was intended to bring greater transparency and freedom of information to the Soviet system, which had historically been characterized by strict censorship and secrecy. Glasnost encouraged public discussion of political and social issues and allowed for greater freedom of the press.

The implementation of glasnost had profound effects. It led to a surge in public discourse, with previously suppressed criticisms of the Soviet government and its history being aired openly. This newfound freedom contributed to a weakening of the Communist Party's control and a rise in nationalist sentiments within the Soviet republics. While intended to reform and strengthen the Soviet Union, glasnost ultimately played a significant role in its dissolution. It exposed deep-seated problems and fueled demands for change that the existing system could no longer contain. The policy's impact extended beyond the Soviet Union, influencing political reforms in Eastern Europe.