The Withering away of the Totalitarian State… and Other Surprises

These essays track the dramatic developments set in motion by the perestroika revolution of Mikhail Gorbachev, whose goal is the transformation of Soviet style communism from within. This collection does not simply recapitulate what happens but explains - step by step - which changes were important and why. They tell us when Gorbachev began to ask new questions and set new goals and what these mean for the foundations of Soviet power. The analysis reflects the author’s realistic understanding of the Soviet state and ideology the legitimizes it, and also her broad personal experience with foreign leaders and foreign policy. Kirkpatrick was the first woman to serve as US representative to the UN.