Soviet Union Key Players in a New Game

As perestroika comes to politics, and democratic institutions begin to replace rule by secrecy and dictatorship, the old party is breaking up

Mikhail Gorbachev's revolution is about to sweep away what is left of monolithic communism. When 4,750 delegates convene next week for the Communist Party's 28th Congress, they are expected to approve a measure that will bloat the once omnipotent twelve-member Politburo into an unwieldy national committee by adding to the top party officials representatives of all 15 republics, workers and intellectuals. The delegates are also likely to approve a proposal to reduce the head of the party to a mere chairman of the committee. Gorbachev may not even want to keep the job. He told the Russian Federation's party congress last...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!