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Russia's Journey: From Gorbachev to Medvedev

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The Return: Russia's Journey from Gorbachev to Medvedev

by Daniel Treisman

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Russia has undergone a profound transformation since the late 1980s, when the Soviet Union collapsed and the country embarked on a path of political and economic reform. This article will explore the major developments that have taken place during this period, focusing on the key leaders who have shaped Russia's transformation.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985. He is widely credited with introducing the policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring),which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Gorbachev's reforms were motivated by a desire to modernize the Soviet economy and society. He believed that the country was in need of greater political and economic freedom. Glasnost allowed for more open discussion of political and social issues, while perestroika introduced market reforms and loosened the state's control over the economy.

Gorbachev's reforms were met with resistance from保守派 within the Communist Party. However, he was able to push through his agenda with the support of the people. In 1990, Gorbachev was elected the first president of the Soviet Union. However, his popularity declined as the economy continued to struggle and ethnic tensions rose in the republics that made up the Soviet Union.

In 1991, a group of hard-line Communists attempted to overthrow Gorbachev. The coup failed, but it weakened Gorbachev's authority and led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev resigned as president in December 1991.

Boris Yeltsin

Boris Yeltsin was the first president of the Russian Federation. He was elected in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yeltsin was a reformer who introduced radical economic reforms, including the privatization of state-owned industries.

Yeltsin's reforms were painful for many Russians, but they also laid the foundation for a market economy. Yeltsin also oversaw the adoption of a new constitution in 1993, which established a democratic system of government.

Yeltsin's presidency was also marked by political and economic instability. He faced two impeachment attempts and survived an assassination attempt in 1995. The Russian economy also suffered from a financial crisis in 1998. Despite these challenges, Yeltsin remained in power until 1999, when he resigned and was succeeded by Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin was elected president of Russia in 2000. He has since been re-elected three times and is now the longest-serving leader in Russian history.

Putin has overseen a period of relative stability and economic growth in Russia. He has also cracked down on political dissent and strengthened the state's control over the economy.

Putin's foreign policy has been marked by a confrontational approach towards the West. He has annexed Crimea from Ukraine and intervened in the Syrian civil war. Putin has also been accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election.

Despite the challenges, Putin remains popular in Russia. He is seen as a strong leader who has restored Russia to its former glory.

Dmitry Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev was president of Russia from 2008 to 2012. He was seen as a more liberal leader than Putin, but he ultimately did not make any significant reforms.

Medvedev's presidency was overshadowed by the financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent economic recession. He also faced protests over the results of the 2011 parliamentary elections, which were widely seen as being fraudulent.

In 2012, Putin returned to the presidency, and Medvedev became prime minister. He has remained in that position ever since.

Russia has undergone a profound transformation since the late 1980s, when the Soviet Union collapsed and the country embarked on a path of political and economic reform. This article has explored the major developments that have taken place during this period, focusing on the key leaders who have shaped Russia's transformation.

The future of Russia is uncertain. The country faces a number of challenges, including economic stagnation, political instability, and a confrontational relationship with the West.