Question

What was Mikhail Gorbachev's concept of glasnost supposed to do?

Answer 1

Reverse the slide in Soviet economic development. It was understood that the culture of secrecy and fear that pervaded Stalinist economic planning stifled innovation, and it had become clear by the 1980s that innovation was allowing the West to outstrip the USSR in ecomomic development. The Soviets had a mighty steel and auto industry, for example, but the microelectronics revolution completely passed them by.

Gorbachev hoped that by promoting a campaign of "openness" (which is what "glasnost" means) this decay could be reversed and innovation could repower the Soviet economy. The idea was that low-level managers would no longer be afraid to say they couldn't meet quotas, that the quotas were unrealistic, and that they had a better idea instead. Higher level managers could try things, without the fear of being sent to the gulag if you failed, or deviated from orthodoxy. Open criticism of the policies of the ruling Communisty Party would strengthen it, allow it to reach better decisions, act more justly and effectively.

In short, Gorbachev was one of a long line of leaders who have attempted to build communism "with a human face," meaning one that is free from the paranoia, paralysis, lack of reality check, and individual selfishness that (so far) has always accompanied a collectivist government.