glasnost

[ glaz-nost, glahz‑; Russian glahs-nuhst ]

noun

1. the declared public policy within the Soviet Union of openly and frankly discussing economic and political realities: initiated under Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985.

glasnost

/ ˈɡlæsˌnɒst /

noun

1. the policy of public frankness and accountability developed in the former Soviet Union under the leadership of Mikhail gorbachev

glasnost

1. A Russian word meaning “openness,” which describes the policy of Mikhail Gorbachev , premier of the former Soviet Union . The term refers to a general loosening of government control on all aspects of life in the Soviet Union, even to the point of permitting criticism of government policies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of glasnost¹

First recorded in 1980–85, glasnost is from the Russian word glásnost' literally, publicity (taken to mean openness)

Word History and Origins

Origin of glasnost¹

C20: Russian, literally: openness

Example Sentences

Of course, in Russia at that time you had just the beginning of Gorbachev, and glasnost and perestroika.

From The Daily Beast

Still more excitingly for Cohen, glasnost included a Bukharin revival, with major support from Gorbachev himself.

From The Daily Beast

Until virtually the day the Soviet empire collapsed, Rep. Dick Cheney was calling glasnost a fraud.

From The Daily Beast

This scenario may sound like something from China or the pre-Glasnost communist bloc.

From The Daily Beast

Technology will hopefully have made economic glasnost inevitable.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• directness
• fairness
• frankness
• honesty
• outspokenness
• probity
• simplicity
• sincerity
• truthfulness