>>17855007
What really killed the Soviet Union is more the Glasnost then their economic reforms. In fact, their economic reforms (perestroika) had similar objectives to China in that they wanted to adopt a model that could allocate resources more effectively while keeping a socialist mode of production. While it made things worse, it's really in the 90s that neoliberalism failed Russia.
>completely normal and unsuspicious. absolutely nothing to see here.
Gorbatchev was part of some elite liberal circle in the USSR which influenced their vision of the world. Even though he was probably a socialist, he was sensitive to liberal ideas. That's why he introduced the Glasnost (people being able to freely discuss about politics & elections).
Of course, the second he did that, the country split up along nationalist tensions and went into chaos. Ironically enough, Gorbachev would've probably became a western tool if he could've became one. He even made a social democrat party in 2007 in Russia
>"While I actually became acquainted with the West, my mind was made up forever. I decided that I must destroy the whole apparatus of the CPSU and the USSR. Also, I must do this in all of the other socialist countries. My ideal is the path of social democracy. Only this system shall benefit all the people. This quest I decided I must fulfil.
I found friends that had the same thoughts as I in Yakovlev and Shevernadze, they all deserve to be thanked for the break-up of the USSR and the defeat of Communism.
World without communism is going to be much better. After year 2000 the world will be much better, because it shall develop and prosper"
>https://www.revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv6n1/gorbach.htm