Economist Podcasts Iron Curtain call: Mikhail Gorbachev
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Aug 31, 2022 
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor for The Economist, discusses Mikhail Gorbachev's unintended role in the Soviet Union's collapse and the polarized views of his legacy in modern Russia. Simon Wright sheds light on the electric vehicle industry's rapid growth, emphasizing looming challenges in battery manufacturing and material sourcing. Fiametta Rocco takes listeners on a journey to Michael Heiser's monumental sculpture 'City' in Nevada, exploring its artistic impact and the evolution of land art.
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Gorbachev's Background
- Mikhail Gorbachev's grandfathers faced Stalinist repression, shaping his views.
- He grew up working the land, influencing his rejection of violence.
Unintentional Dissolution
- Gorbachev aimed to reform the Soviet Union, not dissolve it, through perestroika and glasnost.
- However, the empire relied on propaganda and repression, which Gorbachev loosened, leading to its collapse.
Gorbachev's Pragmatism
- Gorbachev, while not a saint, was a shrewd Communist Party player.
- His aversion to widespread violence is a key aspect of his legacy.