Mikhail Gorbachev, last Soviet leader, dies at age 91

[TheDawn]

From what I see in Russian socials, 80-90% hate him with a passion (funny enough, mostly people who were either born after he left the scene or were toddlers during his time in the office).

While 10-20% acknowledge that, while definitely not perfect, he accomplished a lot and ending USSR that was about to collapse violently in a fairly peaceful manner should be a credit to the man.

He had a vision of Russia becoming a reasonably "normal" Western-like society. It is unfortunate that he wished for the impossible. Impossible for all kinds of reasons.

Well he's the one who brought about changes. Changes are never popular with people and the person who brought about the changes is never popular either, especially when you are talking about such a drastic change from communism to western-style democracy that I am not sure if it's compatible with the Russian culture. And the first few years when Russia was reforming itself to embrace western-style democracy were hard, really hard on the Russian people especially so I can understand the negative sentiment that Russian people would have toward Gorbachev.

 

[trend2009]

He is a great man. Wish China one day has a leader like him to end communist party dictatorship, but I doubt it will never happen in the next generation.

 

[Peter8519]

It was the coup attempt that brought down the communist. They were already or going to be bankrupt. It was Boris who stopped the coup attempt.

 

[VicBee]

Russia has never known democracy in its history and isn't a part of Russian culture. This doesn't mean Russians can't evolve, but it's going to take a lot of work on their part. In the meantime, the world moves on and the satellite nations break away from the union whenever they find the opportunity.

 

[terr]

Have you been there recently, that is recently, prior to Feb. 24? Anyway, when I was last there (left SPb on Feb. 7th), the biggest thing was the QR codes for covid (I didn't have one, obviously, since I'm not a Russian citizen, but I was still able to get into my favorite Irish bar there). Don't know much about after, except what I've seen on the news, etc. And I don't talk to my GF about it, because I'm trying to follow their rules, however awful.

Was there in 2019 for my 40th high school reunion. Before Covid.

 

[terr]

It's going to be interesting to see how exactly his funeral will be conducted in Russia, and what (and whether) foreign dignitaries will be present. Poses a serious challenge to the current Russian regime.

 

[Atlantic]

He had a vision of Russia becoming a reasonably "normal" Western-like society. It is unfortunate that he wished for the impossible. Impossible for all kinds of reasons.

sad to read that. what's the problem? are russians not interested in real democracy, etc.?

 

[SunTrader]

He kept the breaking up of the USSR from turning into a Civil War.

How ironic if OrangeMan causes us to have a second one, and in turn breaking us up. Never say never.

 

[terr]

sad to read that. what's the problem? are russians not interested in real democracy, etc.?

For a Democracy to flourish you have to have a certain tradition of individualism and a law-based society. Neither exists in Russia.

Also, Russian regimes, for generations upon generations, have been killing off and exiling the best, the cream of their society. When you do that for that long, what you have left is the dregs, sheep with no ambition, no initiative who just desire the "strong hand" of the government to tell them what to do.

 

[d08]

He had a vision of Russia becoming a reasonably "normal" Western-like society. It is unfortunate that he wished for the impossible. Impossible for all kinds of reasons.

Russia is going full-speed backwards now. I notice many, especially poorer Russians easily buy into this fantasy of the "Russian Empire", it's a nice substitute for reality but living in your head too much is never a good idea. I'm really curious what makes Russians different. Is it because of the genetic mix of Viking, Turk and Genghis Khan descendants who have this constant appetite to conquer more land, however irrational it might be?