Zhang Shengfa

(№.5,2015)

Abstract: In May 2015, Gorbachev Foundation held the roundtable conference to commemorate the 30 th  anniversary of the beginning of Gorbachev's perestroika. In this conference, the report drafted by an expert group invited by Gorbachev Foundation and Citizen Initiative Committee led by the former Finance Minister Kudrin in the name of “1985—2015: Values of perestroika in the context of contemporary Russia” (“Gorbachev–Kudrin Report” in brief) was presented. The report expounded the origin and results of Gorbachev's perestroika, summarized the experience and lessons of the perestroika, and analyzed the value and significance of the perestroika for current Russia. The report immediately aroused a heated debate about how to think of the Gorbachev's perestroika and if Russia needed the second perestroika. The issuance of this report showed that, although the process of democratization in Russia stayed in the dead state, the democrats of Russia did not give up their efforts. As Kudrin acted as one of the report initiators, it was proved that Gorbachev's perestroika did influence a whole generation and it especially fed a large amount of new politicians with democratic idea. Under the political pattern of strong ruling group of Putin and weak opposition, and in the special situation of tight relationship between Russia, America and Russia's surrounding countries, the prospect of the so-called perestroika 2.0 is very gloomy as the social foundation and support of popular will are lacked.

Keywords:Gorbachev; Kudrin; Gorbachev's perestroika; perestroika 2.0