Rising Expectations and Economic Mismanagement Lead to Regime Failure

The unsustainable economic practices in the Soviet Union under Gorbachev, where steel was wasted due to misaligned incentives, highlighted the flaws of centrally planned economies. Despite Western misconceptions that government intervention in the economy is always bad, Gorbachev realized his economic efforts were failing amid widespread dissatisfaction and rising expectations fueled by glass-nost. This failure to meet rising expectations proved to be a significant factor in regime failure, overshadowing even political maneuvering skills.