Question

What type of system did Mikhail Gorbachev implement in the Soviet Union?

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985 at a time when its economy had stopped growing and its government was seen as rigid and closed. He introduced two major reform policies to fix this.

Step 2: The two reforms.
He introduced Glasnost (openness), which allowed more freedom of speech and press and let citizens criticise the government, and Perestroika (restructuring), which tried to loosen the tightly centralised Soviet economy and bring in some market-style elements.

Final Answer:
Gorbachev implemented the twin policies of Glasnost (political openness) and Perestroika (economic restructuring) in the Soviet Union.