A Deep Dive into Gorbachev's 1988 UN Speech and Its Impact

This essay analyzes Mikhail Gorbachev's 1988 speech to the United Nations General Assembly. It explores the context of the speech, highlighting the tensions within the Soviet Union and the improving relations between the US and the Soviet Union. The essay examines Gorbachev's choice of venue, his message regarding ideological differences, and his call for a shift away from using force in foreign policy. It also addresses Gorbachev's vision for a world characterized by cooperation, disarmament, and the resolution of global problems through international collaboration. The analysis draws on various scholarly sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of the speech's significance and its impact on the end of the Cold War and international relations.

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Q1.
Gorbachev chose the United Nations General assembly as the venue for his speech
because of the many states that were attending the conference. Due to this process, it
therefore provided a perfect platform for Mr Gorbachev to present his ideas. The fact
that the conference was held in the United States which was a renowned adversary of
Soviet Union also made it a good opportunity to spread this message. During the
period in which the speech was presented in 1988, there was a lot of tension within
the Soviet Union with most of the countries being uncomfortable with the union
(Savranskaya & Zubok, 2009) .There was also a reduction in tension between the
United States and the Soviet Union with the US President Ronald Reagan having
visited the Soviet and signed the Long term and Short term missile reduction treaty.
Due to the events that had happened in Russia during the previous few years, it
therefore signaled that the Soviet Union was embracing peace and reduction in use of
force to force member states to remain in the Union. The member states gained more
freedom and power and this would later bring about the downfall of the Soviet Union.
Gorbachev played a crucial role in helping to end the cold war. The world stage where
all the countries are represented by their heads of states presented a wonderful
opportunity for Gorbachev to deliver his message and he delivered it perfectly and it
was answered by the powerful states and this helped to end the cold war at the time
(Scowcroft & Bush,2013).
Q2.
Gorbachev was referring to the major superpowers clinging onto their ideology and
prevailing upon the smaller nations to adopt and follow their ideologies as a basis of
their relations. He was referring to convictions, traditions and religion that different

states had and said that they should not influence the way states relate with one
another and instead countries should put their ideological beliefs and traditions aside
and unite towards building a better nation for all (O'Sullivan, 2009).He argued that
ideology, beliefs and practices should be spread by mere persuasion and conviction to
the point that other states see the benefit of the idea and accept it rather than using
propaganda and intimidation to spread ideology (Gorbachev & Green Cross
International, 2011).This statement had an effect in relations between super powers
because, countries embarked on spreading their ideology based on the conviction on
whether they have positive or negative impact on the countries`. Countries like Russia
campaigned for the ideology of socialism by convincing countries on the benefits of
socialism over the other systems
Q3.
By saying that force can no longer be used as an instrument of foreign policy,
Gorbachev was referring to the idea that persisted at the time that relations between
countries had to be by using power and dominating over the other both in terms of
military power and economic development. Gorbachev was referring to the situation
where the world powers used force to reign over their inferior neighbors whereby
countries like the soviet union and US had military presence in other countries and
had a lot of control over them (Gorbachev, 1997). He was also criticizing the idea
that for a country to benefit or to prosper, it must do so at another`s expense.
The speech brought about improvement in relations between major World
superpowers such as Soviet Union and the USA. This led to signing of reduction of
firearms and nuclear weapons between the two countries. Tensions between Russia
and the United States also improved drastically after this occurrence.

Q4.
Mr Gorbachev foresees harmonious solution of world problems with little or no
conflicts. He also foresaw the world that will be able to arrange broad and mutually
advantageous relations and equitable cooperation between people. He hoped for
rational management of scientific and technical revolution which will help to
transform world economics and contribute to improved and better management of the
environment (Taubman, 2017). He also hoped that the world countries will come
together and end underdevelopment put to an end hunger, disease and illiteracy. He
also foresaw a world where countries will not be competing to arm themselves but
competing to disarm so as to reduce the risk that these weapons pause to the world
population (Grachev, 2008). He hoped to demilitarization of international relations as
well as conversion of military economy into other job creating opportunities. He
hoped for formation of a group of scientists that would be entrusted with analysis of
world problems that would be reported to the U.N and discussed in the General
assembly.

References
Gorbachev, M. S., & Green Cross International. (2011). Mikhail Gorbachev: Prophet
of change : from the Cold War to a sustainable world. Forest Row, East Sussex
[England: Clairview.
Grachev, A. S. (2008). Gorbachev's gamble: Soviet foreign policy and the end of the
Cold War.
Gorbachev, M. S. (1997). Memoirs.
O'Sullivan, C. D. (2009). Colin Powell: American power and intervention from
Vietnam to Iraq. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Savranskaya, S., Blanton, T., & Zubok, V. (2009). Masterpieces of History: The
Peaceful End of the Cold War in Europe 1989. Budapest: Central European
University Press
Scowcroft, B., & Bush, G. H. W. (2013). A world transformed. New York: Vintage
Books.
Taubman, W. (2017). Gorbachev: His life and times.