"Glasnost" was a policy of increased political openness and transparency in the Soviet Union during the 1980s. The term "glasnost" is derived from the Russian word for "openness." Under the leadership of Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, the policy aimed to promote greater freedom of expression, the sharing of information, and an increased level of public debate in Soviet society.
Glasnost was part of Gorbachev's broader efforts to reform and modernize the Soviet Union, known as perestroika. The policy led to increased press freedom, greater public access to previously censored materials, and greater openness in government decision-making.
The impact of glasnost on the Soviet Union was mixed, as it unleashed a wave of public criticism and demands for greater democracy and independence from the Soviet republics. It ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
