All the wedding dos let me from the sad news …
The Prague Spring of 1968 illustrated that communism, however disastrous, was resourceful enough to hold on to its monopoly of power. Most of the ideas Mikhail Gorbachev introduced through a program labelled 'perestroika' in 1985 were originally those of Czechchoslovak leader Alexander Dubcek.
Disappointing results in industry fuelled speculation that restructuring of the system of economic management was inevitable. Dubcek initiated a wide-ranging program, known as 'socialism with human face,' to liberalise and democratise all aspects of communism. Once again Soviet military forces were in Czechoslovakia, but while in 1945 the came as liberators, in 1968 they were oppressors.
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was a Russian and Soviet politician who served as the last leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to the country's dissolution in 1991. Wikipedia
Thousands of Russians have filed past the open casket of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, with many saying they wanted to honour his memory as "a peacemaker" who gave them their freedom.
Key points:
- Thousands of people young and old lined up to pay their respects and view the body of Mikhail Gorbachev
- Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the funeral of the former Soviet leader
- Many Western leaders were absent from the funeral due to tense relations between Moscow and the West
Mr Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union from 1985-1991, died on Tuesday aged 91.
Russia farewells Mikhail Gorbachev but state honours and Vladimir Putin are missing
Why Gorbachev’s legacy still threatens Putin
‘A consequential but ultimately tragic figure’: last leader of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev dies aged 91 The Conversation
Remembering Gorbachev Glibert Doctorow (ctlieee). “The [Soviet] economy was hopelessly mismanaged and the entire legacy of Soviet legislation rendered it virtually impossible to escape from violence or the threat of violence to make things work.” Totally unlike the Unied States….
Why Gorbachev Was One of the Greatest Failures in History CounterPunch