The "Gorbachev phenomenon" is seen as the product of complex developments during the last seventy years―developments that changed the Soviet Union from a primarily agrarian society into an urban, industrial one. Here, for the first time, a noted authority on Soviet society identifies the crucial historical events and social forces that explain Glasnost and political and economic life in the Soviet Union today.
Very interesting analysis of the Soviet state and the social problems which were occurring within it. I like how he took the 3 factor approach to how the state can be remedied. Unfortunate that 2 years after publishing this book the forces were too much and the state fully collapsed. Seems like none of the problems he identified were to be fixed with the new Russian government.