The Chances of Gorbachev's Reforms

In: Praxis international: a philosophical journal, Band 7, Heft 3-4, S. 368-381

Abstract

The need for changes in the USSR is now accepted by top government officials & decisive political forces. Economic reforms, initiated by the top levels, are explicitly linked with political & social changes, & hold the promise of qualitatively new relations without dramatical alteration of the basic political system. Two processes are said to be important for long-term institutionalization of the reforms: performance-based criteria of promotion, & improved feedback of information within the Soviet Communist Party. Four directions of reform include reforms within the Party, reforms within the Soviet system, facilitated flow of information, & development of constitutional attributes. The potential for meaningful interaction between the Party & other sections of the USSR & such groups in the West is estimated. A. Waters