Gorbachev did not think about all the consequences that would happened if he changed Russia into perestroika. He underestimated the effect that perestroika would have on Russia. Yes, his political initiatives were great for freedom and democracy but all that freedom had a huge price. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union Russia has been struggling to build a democratic political system and market economy. Everyone has to accept their wrongs and this was one of Gorbachev mistakes instead of blaming others. It was because of Gorbachev USSR fell and ever since then Russia has not been the same.
There is no reason to blame Gorbachev for the way Russia is the way it is today. In fact we should be thanking him. Gorbachev was a victim of circumstances. What is meant is that Gorbachev did the best he could in the situation USSR was in when he was in power. He saved Russia from further destruction. The ones who should be blamed is Brezhnev. I am not saying that Gorbachev did not have any faults but he had to follow Brezhnev.
Brezhnev was in office from October 14, 1964 to November 10, 1982; that is 18 years. He is the one to blame for Russia’s current economic woes, why? Brezhnev prolonged Brezhnev stagnation. This made USSR fall into catastrophic economic problems and much more. When Brezhnev died the next person to come into power would have to deal with the economic problems that he ignored. Also he would have the task of rebuilding USSR from nothing.
Gorbachev was the next person in power.
Should Gorbachev be blamed for the current economic woes of Russia? Gorbachev should not be blamed for this, instead he should be thanked because he did what he thought was the right thing to do. Gorbachev was a victim of circumstances. Brezhnev should be blamed for what happened to Russia and the way it is today. Further more Gorbachev saved Russia from being destroyed further than it was. With all the facts I believe that Gorbachev is innocent and should not be blamed for something he did not do.
You are saying two things simultaneously... Gorbachev caused the problems that Russia is having today.
Brezhnev is causing the problems Russia is having today.
You need to sort out your thinking on this and reorganize your essay. Then I or one of the other teachers will be happy to proof-read.
sorry it is a position paper that is why i have two diffrent opnions sorry for the mix up!
Henery, in a position paper, you need to take one side and support that. An information paper would give various opinions. I would suggest that you take Brezhnev and show how his policies resulted in the problems Russia is having.
Sure, I can help you with that. Let's focus on explaining why Brezhnev's policies contributed to the current economic woes of Russia.
1. Economic Stagnation: One of the key factors that led to Russia's economic problems was the prolonged period of stagnation under Brezhnev's leadership. During his time in office, from 1964 to 1982, there was a lack of innovation and stagnation in the Soviet economy. Brezhnev's policies emphasized stability and maintaining the status quo, which stifled growth and hindered necessary reforms.
2. Command Economy: Under Brezhnev, the Soviet economy remained largely centralized and planned, with the state retaining control over most aspects of economic decision-making. This centralized command economy was inefficient, prone to corruption, and lacked the flexibility and adaptability required for success in a rapidly changing global economic landscape.
3. Overreliance on Natural Resources: Brezhnev's policies continued to prioritize heavy industry and natural resource exploitation, particularly oil and gas. While this initially brought in significant revenue, it created a reliance on these commodities and neglected diversification into other sectors of the economy. As a result, when global oil prices plummeted in the 1980s, it severely impacted the Soviet economy, leading to a decline in foreign exchange earnings and economic instability.
4. Corruption and Inefficiency: Brezhnev's regime, known for its corruption and nepotism, allowed for the misallocation of resources, embezzlement, and black market activities. This led to a significant drain on economic potential and further hindered sustainable development.
5. Lack of Structural Reforms: Brezhnev did not introduce significant structural reforms to tackle the economic challenges faced by the Soviet Union. There was a lack of emphasis on modernization, technological advancements, and improving productivity. Without such reforms, the Soviet economy became increasingly out of touch with the demands of the global market.
These factors, among others, contributed to the economic struggles that Russia continues to face even after the collapse of the Soviet Union. While it's important to acknowledge that Gorbachev made his own decisions during his time in power, understanding the context under Brezhnev's leadership helps explain the challenges Gorbachev faced and the long-lasting impact of his predecessor's economic policies.