Looking at how Mikhail Gorbachev's policies changed the Soviet Union, would you consider him a patriot, or in a sense, a subversive?
In Soviet terms, he was a subversive. Most outside the Soviet system see him as a reformer, or a revolutionary.
What he did was to remove Communist Party control, which was corrupt to the core, at a lessor status and power than the Government.
Of the choices, Patriot seems to fit more, however, those who lost power would primary focus on the alternative.
Without Gorbachev's involvement, I am personally not convinced they would have occured anyway, the Soviet control of the economy with all that huge military spending was on a railroad to nowhere. Either collapse or war was about the only result foreseeable. Nor do I see that Ronald Reagen had much to do with it either, as many proclaim.
http://www.brookings.edu/articles/2004/0801russia_talbott.aspx
Gorbachev was instrumental in greatly reducing the Military threat to world peace, and for that he rightly deserved the Peace Prize. However, I suspect there are those who are not so happy about that either.
To determine whether Mikhail Gorbachev could be considered a patriot or a subversive, it's essential to examine his policies and their impact on the Soviet Union. Let's break down the question and explore the factors that can help form an opinion on this matter.
1. Understand the Terms: To assess whether Gorbachev was a patriot or subversive, we should define these terms.
- A patriot is typically someone who loves and supports their country, its people, and its interests, often working towards its improvement.
- A subversive refers to someone who attempts to undermine or overthrow an established system, policy, or government.
2. Analyze Gorbachev's Policies: Gorbachev introduced two significant policies that reshaped the Soviet Union:
- Glasnost (Openness): Gorbachev aimed to bring transparency, freedom of speech, and political openness to Soviet society. It allowed criticism of the government, permitted a degree of political dissent, and facilitated the release of some political prisoners.
- Perestroika (Restructuring): Gorbachev sought to reform the Soviet economy, introducing elements of market-oriented policies, decentralization, and limited private enterprise.
3. Assess Patriotism:
- Gorbachev's policies, like glasnost and perestroika, aimed to revitalize the country and address systemic issues. By promoting openness and restructuring, he sought to improve the quality of life and strengthen the Soviet Union.
- His intentions were rooted in a desire to save the Soviet system from collapse, prevent social unrest, and revive the economy, which could be seen as acts of patriotism.
4. Evaluate Subversion:
- Some argue that Gorbachev's policies inadvertently led to the weakening and eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union. The openness he introduced allowed criticism to spill over, challenging the authority of the Communist Party and eroding the pillars of Soviet governance.
- Critics argue that Gorbachev's reforms unintentionally paved the way for separatist movements, economic instability, and ultimately the end of the Soviet Union. From this perspective, his actions could be seen as subversive.
Conclusively, whether Gorbachev is considered a patriot or a subversive largely depends on individual perspective and interpretation. Some might view his policies as patriotic attempts to improve the Soviet Union, while others may see them as inadvertently undermining the system. It's essential to analyze historical context and differing viewpoints to form a comprehensive understanding.