CPO 2002 Lecture Notes - Lecture 30: Mikhail Gorbachev, New Forum, Polish Round Table Agreement
Document Summary
Protests forced the communist east german government to open up the berlin wall and allow free multi-party elections. Mikhail gorbachev elected to position of general secretary of communist party and responded to crises with two reform policies, perestroika and glasnost. Situation in east germany began to change when hungary decided to open its border with austria breaching the iron curtain. Economic restructuring aimed at liberalizing and regenerating the soviet economy. Openness, a reform policy aimed at increasing political openness. In response to to polish strikes in 1988, with main opposition group solidarity, to help reach a compromise and led to the legalization of the independent trade union, solidarity, and nationwide elections in 1989. Collective action theory refers to the pursuit of some objective by groups of individuals. Two crucial factors for determining success in collective action. Revolutionary threshold size of protest at which an individual is willing to participate.
