EFFECTS OF GLASNOST ON SPORTS Glasnost, tran

The Character of Reform As ItAffects Sports

In the six plus years since Gorbachev was elevated to the political leadership of the Soviet Union, far reaching social, political, and economic reform initiatives have been implemented. The content of these reforms is referred to as perestroika (restructuring), while the tone in which they are implemented is referred to as glasnost (openness). Thus, while glasnost per se affects the ways in which individuals react to reforms, it is perestroikathe actual restructuringthrough which the greatest effects of the reforms occur. This character of the reforms is applicable to all areas of activity, including sports. It is important to understand that perestroika is a complex set of reforms, which is not limited to the economic sector of Soviet society.1 Significant social and political

1Z. A. Medvedev, Gorbachev (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1986), 14.reforms have also been introduced.2 In fact, Grobachev stated that t

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ing has been effected at the central planning level. Consolidation, streamlining, and a redefinition of responsibilities have been implemented. Gorbachev views these actions as strengthening the center, rather than diminishing its role. Under perestroika, the center will deal with higher level issues, while organizations will deal with nuts and bolts, and daily bread and butter issues. In the absence of the primacy of central planning, individual athletes and sports organizations have been able to make their own decisions concerning the emphasis and direction of Soviet sports at the national and international levels.10 On the negative side, the absence of central planning in Soviet sports has meant that guaranteed funding at sufficient levels to assure international competitiveness has disappeared. Soviet sports under perestroika must stand in line with all other parties seeking governmental funding. More often than not, Soviet athletes and sports organizations in the era of reform are required to develop strategies for selffunding to supplement whatever may be obtained from the state. __________ 10"A Breath of Fresh Air," The Economist, 31 January 1987, 42. Second, providing power to the elected representatives, cou
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Soviet Union, Communist Party, Goodwill Games, Olympic Games, Eastern European, Air Economist, Norton Company, South Korea, Restructuring Soviet, Union Athletes, soviet union, soviet sports, goodwill games, reform soviet, sports organizations, reform soviet union, games held, international level, illustrated summer 1988, special issue, summer 1988, 36 fall 1989, sports illustrated, summer 1988 special, dissent 36 fall,
Approximate Word count = 1934
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)