This reader is intended to fill the urgent need for up-to-date materials on the Gorbachev era and to provide scholars and students with source materials and interpretations not available in standard texts. In addition the book will be regularly revised and updated to take account of rapidly changing events. Alexander Dallin and Gail Lapidus have brought together outstanding Western analyses as well as Soviet documents and commentary dealing with developments in the USSR's politics economy society culture and foreign policy since 1985. The collection covers the full spectrum of viewsâskeptical and enthusiastic ideological and pragmaticâoffered by journalists politicians observers and participants. Introductory and concluding material by the editors provides the essential context to help students understand the myriad opinions put forth on the vast changes in the USSR and where its future may lie. Language: English