The Soviet policy of openness is known as what?

• A. Glasnost
• B. Perestroika
• C. Detente
• D. McCarthyism

Answer: (A)

Glasnost means openness and transparency in the Soviet Union, a policy promoted by Mikhail Gorbachev to allow more freedom of speech, greater press freedom, and open discussion of social and political issues. This approach aimed to reduce censorship and let the public examine government actions and past mistakes, which helped drive reforms and greater political participation.

Perestroika refers to economic restructuring, which goes hand in hand with openness but focuses on the economy rather than information flow. Detente is about easing tensions with the United States during the Cold War, and McCarthyism is a U.S. anti-Communist campaign from the 1950s. Neither describes the Soviet push for openness.