I read the wiki page on Perestroika. Am I understanding correctly that the people who pushed it, at least some, wanted to move the union to social democracy?

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 2 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

That was sort of a goal. The key goals were to introduce market mechanisms into the economy, liberalize media, and introduce multi-candidate elections.

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 3 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Reading this quote from wiki:

After the XX Congress, in an ultra-narrow circle of our closest friends and associates, we often discussed the problems of democratization of the country and society. We chose a simple – like a sledgehammer – method of propagating the "ideas" of late Lenin. A group of true, not imaginary reformers developed (of course, orally) the following plan: to strike with the authority of Lenin at Stalin, at Stalinism. And then, if successful, – to strike with Plekhanov and Social Democracy – at Lenin, and then – with liberalism and "moral socialism" – at revolutionarism in general .... The Soviet totalitarian regime could be destroyed only through glasnost and totalitarian party discipline, while hiding behind the interests of improving socialism. [...] Looking back, I can proudly say that a clever, but very simple tactic – the mechanisms of totalitarianism against the system of totalitarianism – has worked.

Especially this part - "and then – with liberalism and 'moral socialism' – at revolutionarism in general" - it makes it sound like at least this guy (Yakovlev) wanted to move away from economic socialism altogether. Am I reading this right? Is it taken out of some context in which it has a different meaning? I'm asking in case you've read more about the topic. If you haven't, that's alright.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 4 points 19 hours ago

Yeah, it was basically a start of a counterrevolution to restore capitalism. I actually personally lived through it all.