Gorbachev now: an old man beyond his time or a reminder of Russia's prosperous roots?

Question

Without Gorbachev, Russia may have not only have defaulted on its Cold War strategy by starting a conflict in order to maintain domestic stability due to a floundering economic system, but would also not have engaged in many democratic reforms such as increased freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of demonstration.

Still, today's Kremlin continues to undo many of Gorbachev's reforms insisting that such leadership has provided citizens throughout Russia with opportunities never before realized. Is Gorbachev's critical opinion of the Kremlin (yet positive one on Putin) one that will receive the ears of those who matter, or has his time passed as a political activist and transformed into that of a historical/ academic celebrity?

Answer 1

I spend most of my time in Bulgaria with my Bulgarian wife., and I am amazed that here people think of President Gorbachev as a traitor. .Prior to 1989 life here was, as I gather, reasonably prosperous and the population were content with communism. I live now in the capitol Sofia where life is swinging. Brand new cars such as Mercedes,BMW's even Bentley's are a common sight.and although wages are still well below Western countries, life is very good. Yes there are problems with children's care homes, road repairs but these things will, I feel sure, will improve. In my opinion President Gorbachev did a lot for here, and Russia, and a whole lot better than the ex KGB agent President Putin will ever do

Answer 2

He's one of the last true believers in Marxism. His twin reforms of glasnost and perestroika doomed the ability of the Communist Party to maintain its absolute control enshrined in Article Six of the Soviet Constitution and put the economic stupidity practiced by Gosplan into the dust bin of history.
I'm only sorry that he never got a chance to sign that new Treaty of Union, because he was placed in house arrest the day before the signing ceremony. It would have created a Marxist version of the British Commonwealth system and might have given the Soviet corpse a little more life support.

Answer 3

you bet ye.