Gorbachev vs the Soviet working class
Gorbachev with striking Soviet miners, 1991 On 30 August 2022, former Soviet dictator Mikhail Gorbachev died. This 1988 article from Socialist Organiser discusses the USSR's Stalinist system during his rule. History has many examples of it: when the rulers of moribund repressive systems themselves decide that there must be change, and set about tinkering with their system, then it can blow up in their faces. Gorbachev's attempts at reform from above may well unleash revolution from below.
Source: workersliberty.org