PERESTROIKA, GLASNOST, MANAGEMENT AND TRADE Available to Purchase

Under the leadership of Gorbachev and his instigation of the concepts of perestroika and glasnost, the USSR has had to admit to its economic problems and difficulties which are reflected in the extremely poor standard of living of the majority of its people. The problems have been exacerbated in the past by rigid ideology and theory which ignored the reality and led to the development of a vigorous illegal market. However, since the “revolutions” of 1989 many political changes have occurred, which in turn have precipitated greater communication between the states of Eastern Europe and those of the West. Some specific areas where there have been moves towards co‐operation between East and West are highlighted and examples given of organisations, which are achieving varying measures of success in expanding trade into Eastern Europe. The future prospects are analysed, particularly with reference to the debt problem, but overall the prevalent view is one of optimism and shared opportunities.