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What are Political and Economic reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev? Explain in 6Marks.?
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What are Political and Economic reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev? Explain ...
Perestroika was a political movement for reformation within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during the 1980s and 1990s and is widely associated with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and his glasnost (meaning "openness") policy reform.
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What are Political and Economic reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev? Explain ...
Political Reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev:
1. Introduction of Glasnost: Gorbachev introduced the policy of Glasnost, which means "openness." This policy aimed to increase transparency and openness in government affairs by allowing freedom of speech, press, and expression. It provided an opportunity for citizens to criticize the government and discuss social and political issues openly.

2. Democratization: Gorbachev aimed to democratize the political system by reducing the power of the Communist Party and increasing political participation. He introduced competitive elections where multiple candidates could run for office, including non-Communist Party members. This move allowed for a more pluralistic political landscape and gave citizens a voice in the decision-making process.

3. Devolution of Power: Gorbachev initiated the process of devolving power from the central government to regional and local authorities. This decentralization aimed to give more autonomy and decision-making power to local governments and regions. It allowed for greater regional development and responsiveness to local needs and aspirations.

Economic Reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev:
1. Perestroika: Gorbachev implemented the policy of Perestroika, meaning "restructuring." It aimed to revitalize the Soviet economy by introducing market-oriented reforms and encouraging private enterprise. The state-controlled economy was gradually transformed into a mixed economy, allowing for limited private ownership and entrepreneurship.

2. Foreign Investment and Trade: Gorbachev sought to attract foreign investment and expand international trade. He introduced policies to encourage foreign businesses to invest in the Soviet Union and promoted trade relations with other countries. This increased economic integration and access to global markets.

3. Price Liberalization: To address the inefficiencies of the centrally planned economy, Gorbachev allowed for price liberalization. This meant that prices were determined by supply and demand rather than being centrally fixed. It aimed to promote competition, efficiency, and rational allocation of resources in the economy.

4. Decollectivization: Gorbachev initiated agricultural reforms by allowing individual farmers, known as "kulaks," to privately own and cultivate their land. This deviated from the collective farming system prevalent in the Soviet Union. The reforms aimed to increase agricultural productivity and address food shortages.

5. State-Owned Enterprise Reforms: Gorbachev introduced limited privatization by allowing state-owned enterprises to operate more autonomously and make their own decisions. This move aimed to increase efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness in the industrial sector.

Overall, Gorbachev's political and economic reforms were aimed at modernizing and revitalizing the Soviet Union. However, these reforms faced significant challenges and ultimately contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
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Weaver sees hypocrisy in the World Bank as a predictable feature in a large international organization especially when viewed using resource dependency (viewing the competitive environment) and sociological institutionalism (the authorising environment). The Banks emphasis on organizational survival and legitimacy shows itself in its interactions with multiple actors in its competitive and authoritarian environments. Many critics of the Bank simply see the Bank as unable to achieve the goals it sets and help its client states. Weaver however launches into an in-depth description of two "worlds"-the Worlds Bank and the Banks World. The former indicates the complex structure of the Bank including its donor states, client states, its private capital markets and the watchdog Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Weavers examination reveals the various pressures exerted on the Bank and the degree of American influence on the bank.In as much as the Bank is pressured from many sides, Weaver notes a strong degree of operational authority and autonomy in the "Banks World". This stems from the complexity of its operations, some which are not open to extensive review. Second the diversity of member states allows the Bank some autonomy and most importantly, the Bank holds a strong monopoly over development related knowledge. This control of ideas is coupled with a technocratic and economic rationality, reinforced with the influx of Western trained neo-classical economists. Bank ideological coherence is also maintained by the editing of reports to align with neoliberal beliefs. It is within these strong intellectual norms that Weaver examines World Bank reforms. Contrary to some critics, the Bank did engage in reforms in the 1990s. The Strategic Compact arose as a need to transform the Bank back as an effort to re-orientate itself as the premier development agency, after external criticism and an internal evaluation. The first aim of streamlining bureaucracy was easily reached however the aim of being more "poverty focused and accountable" came at odds with the technical, economic and apolitical rationality. New efforts such as listening to clients and conducting consultations clashed with the existing approval culture. Overall, changes occurred but still the approval culture remained strong.Similarly, the focus on good governance was not that effective with apolitical stances amongst staff.Furthermore, the dominating neo-liberal mindset resulted in governance issues framed with economic objectives in mind. Just as with the Strategic Compact, Weaver notes that governance reform challenged the Banks conventional method of conducting business.Weaver does qualify that the constant need to placate the demands of various external groups also hampered Bank reform. She however noted that the Bank deep culture will prevent any productive change. Weaver thus delves away from the normal criticism of the World Bank to explain the reasons of Bank actions and activities.She shed a new light noting that such hypocrisy is a tenet in any large international organisation. In order for any improvement to the World Bank, it is not simply the initiation of change but the need to re work the internal settings of one of the worlds most important development groups.Q. It can be inferred that Weavers attitude to the World Bank is best reflected in which of the following statements?

What are Political and Economic reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev? Explain in 6Marks.?
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