Gorbachev's accession to General Secretary promised great changes to the Soviet Union and its relationship with the rest of the world. This book, first published in 1987, discusses the problems faced by Gorbachev when he entered office and how he planned to tackle them. A fascinating insight into Soviet economic and political policy in the years leading up to the Union's collapse, this reissue will be of particular importance to students and academics researching the personality of Gorbachev and the political and economic history of the Soviet Union.

Preface; Notes on Contributors; 1. Introduction 2. The Consolidation of Gorbachev's Political Power - a Springboard for Reform? Iain Elliot 3. Industrial Planning - Forwards or Sideways? David A. Dyker 4. Agriculture the Permanent Crisis David A. Dyker 5. Gorbachev and the World - the Economic Side Alan H. Smith 6. Gorbachev and the World - the Political Side Zdenek Kavan 7. Conclusions David A. Dyker