Introduction

Abstract

Mikhail Gorbachev has brought a breath of fresh air to the staid corridors of power in the Kremlin. After a decade of old leaders who were more concerned about the state of their health than that of the country, Gorbachev has introduced vitality, change and challenge. He has made it abundantly plain that he is unhappy with the legacy he inherited on taking office, as Secretary-General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, in March 1985. If the challenge of the scientific-technical revolution is not met the future of the USSR as a superpower is in doubt. He has set himself a very challenging policy agenda, to transform the Soviet Union into a scientific and technical giant by the turn of the century. It is no longer sufficient to produce more and more goods by antiquated methods, Soviet industry must produce goods which are internationally competitive. Industry and agriculture have to be re-equipped and labour productivity doubled. Just how are all these things to be done?