Gorbachev Syndrome

Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of Communist Party and the President of Soviet Union (1990-1991). He was credited for leading various reforms in Soviet Union, as well as playing a key role in reducing the tensions between Soviet Union and the West. Unlike previous leaders, he refused to use military force to maintain Soviet influence over Eastern Europe, which allowed communist regimes to fall there.

Domestically he was known for two main reforms. Firstly, ‘Perestroika’ (“restructuring”), with a goal of of modernising a stagnant country. This involved introducing market mechansims, decentralised decision making and private enterprises in some sectors. Secondly Glasnost (“openness”): political liberatlisation that allowed more freedom of speach, press and transparancy in the government. Despite note being this goal, these reforms led to (both directly and indirectly) to the collapse of Sovient Union in 1991.

in the West, Gorbachev is often hailed as a hero of democracy and peace. In Russia, many blame him for the chaotic 1990s, loss of Sovient prestige and economic collapse.

Today ‘Gorbachev syndrome’ refers to a person who is more popular apbrad than in his own country.