Why did the Soviet Union collapse in spite of Gorbachev’s accurate diagnosis of the problem and his attempt to implement reforms ? Explain any four reasons.

OR

Why did most of the institutions of the Soviet system need reforms during late 1970s ? Explain any four reasons.

Four reasons behind the collapse of the Soviet Union in spite of Gorbachev’s accurate diagnosis of the problem and his attempt to implement reforms are as follows:

1) The Soviet political and economic institutions were inherently weak in its internal structure.

2) The Soviet economic resources were mainly used for maintaining a military and nuclear arsenal along with the development of the satellite states in Eastern Europe. This led to an economic burden which created stagnation and consumer shortage.

3) Knowledge regarding Western economic conditions made the common people realize the shortcomings of their economic identity which led to widespread disenchantment with the prevalent system.

4) Previously the Communist Party was not answerable to the people and this led to a variety of corruption within the system. This alienated the common people who were against the stagnant administrative system which refused to correct its mistake and were unwilling towards centralisation of authority.

OR

Most of the institutions of the Soviet system needed reforms during the late 1970s because of the following reasons:

1) The Communist Party was not answerable to the people and this led to a variety of corruption within the system.

2) The Communist Party also refused to recognise the right of the people with respect to their various affairs based on their ethnic and cultural differences and practices. It was an era of Russian dominance and marginalized the other republics present in erstwhile USSR.

3) The arms race against USA although successful to a certain level came at a great economic cost for the Soviet Union.

4) The economic cost reflected in the Soviet Union’s backwardness with respect to technology, infrastructure etc. by the late 1970s the faltering Soviet Union economy had become stagnant.