(Angus Reid Consultants – CPOD Global Scan) – Many Russians look back on the tenure of a former Soviet leader in a disparaging way, according to a poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center. 53 per cent of respondents hold negative feelings towards Mikhail Gorbachev.
(Angus Reid Consultants – CPOD Global Scan) – Many Russians look back on the tenure of a former Soviet leader in a disparaging way, according to a poll by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center. 53 per cent of respondents hold negative feelings towards Mikhail Gorbachev.
Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Communist Party from 1985 to 1991. He envisioned the policies of “perestroika” (restructuring)—a series of economic reforms to improve worker productivity and living standards—and “glasnost” (openness) which introduced greater personal freedoms and sought to foster debate.
An attempted coup in August 1991 severely hampered Gorbachev’s authority, as support shifted to Russian nationalist Boris Yeltsin. In December 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed following Gorbachev’s resignation.
Russians remain divided over Gorbachev’s true intentions. 23 per cent believe he wanted to reform socialism, 24 per cent think he attempted to convert the Soviet Union to capitalism, and 37 per cent say he did not have clear goals.
Polling Data
How do you personally feel about Mikhail Gorbachev?
Positive Feelings (Admiration, Hope, | 19% |
Negative Feelings (Censure, Distrust, | 53% |
Indifference | 36% |
Hard to answer | 5% |
In your view, what goals did Mikhail Gorbachev pursue?
He wanted to reform socialism, and | 23% |
He attempted to dismantle socialist order | 24% |
He did not have clear goals and acted in | 37% |
Hard to answer | 16% |
Source: All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center
Methodology: Interviews to 1,600 Russian adults, conducted on Mar. 5 and Mar. 6, 2005. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.
