The Enigma of 1989: The USSR and the Liberation of Eastern Europe explores the pivotal events of 1989 that reshaped the global political landscape, focusing on the role of the Soviet Union in the collapse of Eastern European Communist regimes. The book centers on the unexpected Soviet passivity in the face of these changes, particularly under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev. Unlike the rigid Soviet policies of the past, Gorbachev’s approach allowed for a peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Empire and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The author examines how this surprising turn of events was not just a sign of Soviet weakness but also a strategic move within Gorbachev’s broader vision for a transformed international order, where Eastern European democratization was part of a controlled process aimed at benefiting the USSR.

The study argues that Gorbachev’s policies were driven by a new ideology of transition, which, despite its roots in Marxism and Leninism, sought to establish a world order based on new, universal values. This ideology, coupled with the immense risks Gorbachev took, helped him manage the crises in Eastern Europe, neutralize conservative opposition, and maintain Soviet influence in international politics until the fall of Eastern Europe in 1989. The book delves into the internal and external dynamics that led to the USSR’s passive role in the dissolution of Eastern Europe and links it to Gorbachev's broader efforts to transform both Soviet foreign policy and domestic politics. Ultimately, it concludes that the collapse of the Eastern European regimes marked the breaking point of Gorbachev’s ambitions, as it led to a loss of control over both the Soviet Union and his foreign policy initiatives.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1997.

Translated by: Keith Martin