This is a study on Mikhail Gorbachev's implementation of Glasnost, the opening up of Soviet society which has set the wheels of a revolution in motion through his method of government known as Perestroika or restructuring. When Gorbachev came to power in 1985 he was confronted by many problems. The USSR was experiencing a severe economic crisis and relations with the West were under considerable strain due to the Soviets' involvement in Afghanistan. Gorbachev's methods were quickly put to the test when a nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in the Ukraine exploded. Since, the leader has been heard to say In the nuclear age, there are no national boundaries. We need Glasnost as we need the air.