What were the essentials of the 'Glasnost' policy of Mikhail Gorbachev?

(a) Promotion of the principle of freedom to criticize
(b) End of the leading role of the 'Communist party'
(c) Loosening of control on media and publishing
(d) Creation of an executive presidency

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

Mikhail Gorbachev introduced Glasnost (meaning "openness") in the 1980s as part of his broader reform agenda for the Soviet Union. Glasnost aimed to increase transparency in governance, reduce corruption, and give the Soviet people more freedom of expression.

1. (a) Promotion of Freedom to Criticize: Correct. Glasnost allowed for open discussion and criticism of government policies and leaders, which was previously suppressed.
2. (b) End of the Communist Party's Leading Role: Incorrect. Glasnost did not directly aim to end the Communist Party's leading role, but it weakened its monopoly by fostering public debate.
3. (c) Loosening Control on Media: Correct. Glasnost significantly reduced censorship, encouraging freer press and publication.
4. (d) Creation of an Executive Presidency: Incorrect. The creation of an executive presidency was part of political restructuring but was not central to Glasnost.

Thus, Glasnost primarily focused on freedom to criticize (A) and loosening media controls (C).

Information Booster:

1. Glasnost was introduced alongside Perestroika (restructuring), which focused on economic reforms.
2. It allowed for greater openness in government decision-making and access to previously censored information.
3. The policy led to revelations about Soviet history, including Stalin-era abuses and environmental disasters like Chernobyl.
4. Glasnost encouraged intellectual discourse and artistic freedom, weakening the state's control over cultural expression.
5. Although it aimed to reform socialism, Glasnost inadvertently accelerated the Soviet Union's collapse by exposing systemic failures.
6. It inspired similar reforms in Eastern European nations, contributing to the fall of communist regimes.