Mikhail Gorbachev's concept of glasnost referred to an openness to communicate to the West in an attempt to pull the Soviet Union out of a poor economy.
I say false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasnost
To determine whether the statement is true or false, let's examine the concept of glasnost and its purpose during Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership in the Soviet Union.
Glasnost, which means "openness" in Russian, was indeed a key policy introduced by Gorbachev in the mid-1980s. However, it is important to note that its main objective was not primarily focused on improving the Soviet Union's economic situation, but rather on promoting transparency and openness within the country's political and social systems.
Gorbachev intended to use glasnost as a means to address the issues of corruption, bureaucracy, and lack of public participation that were prevalent within the Soviet system. By encouraging a more open and free flow of information, Gorbachev hoped to revitalize the Soviet government and create a more accountable and responsive system.
While glasnost did involve a certain level of openness to the West, including improved communication and cultural exchange, it was not primarily aimed at pulling the Soviet Union out of its economic struggles. Gorbachev had a separate set of economic reforms known as perestroika, which focused on restructuring and liberalizing the Soviet economy.
Therefore, based on this information, the statement that glasnost referred to an openness to communicate to the West in an attempt to pull the Soviet Union out of a poor economy is indeed false. Glasnost was introduced with the intention of creating a more transparent and accountable political and social system within the Soviet Union.