Contrary to Western hopes or expectations the Soviet people are unlikely to vigorously resist Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s ouster and contest the return of a more repressive govt said Stockton scholars of Russian history and culture.
Gorbachev was an unpopular politician at home whose policies in the eyes of his constituents had produced a system without food jobs or hope the scholars said.
They felt the situation as it was utterly hopeless said Paul Karpuk a University of the Pacific professor.
Karpuk returned to Stockton Aug.4 after spending almost two months in the Soviet Union
I heard the word meaning ‘no way out’ quite often when I talked to Soviets said Karpuk a Russian language professor.
The scholars said it remains too early to determine whether the change will alter the path of cooperation with the west that has been forged by Gorbachev.
The scholars agreed the forces of democracy and Openness unleashed by Gorbachev might be so powerful that the new government cannot return to a rigid authoritarian regime without using military force.
The real question becomes what is the public reaction goint to be? Have the changes of Perestroika and glasnost been able to sink roots deep enough so there will be no turning back? said William
The scholars said the situation yet apathy and a feeling of utter dismay about the future might cause many Soviets to support an old-line regime.
It’s very hard for Americans to grasp the depth of the crisis in the Soviet Union We’re talking about a total collapse of the entire economy a lack of food a social collapse the lack of faith in the Communist Party the loss of faith in the (Bolshevik) revolution Brennan said when those rulers Satisfy the People’s desire for Stability and Security in their country.
You’re working with person that has very little experience turning a democratic system Karpuk said
(Stockton Record)
Article extracted from this publication >> August 23, 1991
