University of Arizona professor John Willerton recently shared his admiration for Mikhail Gorbachev in an article on the online journal 19Fortyfive. Willerton describes Gorbachev as a pivotal figure who made significant changes in the Soviet Union and the world. He highlights Gorbachev’s role as a “dynamic politician” who aimed to revitalize the failing Soviet system through broad reforms in the economy, politics, and society.
Willerton argues that few leaders have made such a profound impact on global politics in a short period. He believes Gorbachev’s approach to national security and his vision for a global legal framework were crucial in addressing shared global challenges. However, Willerton’s article does not mention Ronald Reagan, a key player in the context of Gorbachev’s leadership. Critics point out that Gorbachev’s actions were heavily influenced by the pressures exerted by the Reagan administration and its allies, such as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
Alexander Titov, a historian, has noted that Gorbachev did not initially seek to overhaul the Soviet system; rather, he aimed to save it. His reforms, known as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), were intended to breathe new life into the Soviet economy. Unfortunately, these efforts backfired, leading to challenges to his authority and the Communist Party’s control. For instance, Gorbachev withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan, a conflict that had become a quagmire similar to the United States’ experience in Vietnam.
One of Gorbachev’s significant contributions was his decision not to enforce the Brezhnev Doctrine, which asserted that once a country became communist, it would remain so indefinitely. Unlike previous leaders who used military force to suppress uprisings in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, Gorbachev allowed political changes to occur in Eastern Europe without intervention.
While Willerton praises Gorbachev’s role in the fall of the Berlin Wall, some argue that it was not Gorbachev who caused the wall to come down, but rather the actions of the people on both sides. By that time, the balance of power had shifted against the Soviet Union, partly due to Reagan’s military buildup and support for anti-communist movements.
Additionally, Willerton’s admiration for Gorbachev is complicated by historical accounts suggesting that he was involved in plans to assassinate Pope John Paul II, whom Soviet leaders viewed as a threat to their regime. This aspect of Gorbachev’s legacy raises questions about the morality of his leadership.
In summary, while Willerton celebrates Gorbachev as a hero, others argue that his legacy is more nuanced, shaped by the broader context of the Cold War and the actions of other leaders like Reagan.