Glasnost is “increased government transparency” or openness — a slogan and policy employed by Mikhail Gorbachev, Soviet leader in the 1980s.

This policy marked a significant shift in the governance and administrative practices of the Soviet Union, aiming to introduce greater transparency in government institutions and activities, as well as a freer dissemination of information and ideas. Glasnost was part of a broader set of reform policies, alongside “perestroika” or restructuring, which sought to revitalize the Soviet economy and society by reducing the strict control previously exerted by the state over political life, the media, and cultural expression.

Under glasnost, the Soviet government relaxed censorship, allowing for a more open discussion in the media about social, political, and economic issues, including previously taboo subjects such as the challenges facing the Soviet system and the criticism of government officials. This newfound openness extended to the cultural sphere, where artists, writers, and performers enjoyed greater freedom of expression, leading to a flourishing of Soviet arts and culture.

Glasnost also facilitated increased contact and communication with the West, fostering a period of détente in international relations. Although initially intended to strengthen the Soviet system, glasnost inadvertently exposed deep-seated issues and discontent, contributing to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.