Political reform and scientific freedom under Gorbachev

This paper reviews the political reforms introduced in the Soviet Union under perestroika, and their impact on scientific freedom. These include impacts on travel, scientific publication, and participation in international conferences, as well as the positive influence of glasnost on secrecy in science and national security issues, and the new opportunities for scientists to influence policy and policy-making. The revival of professional scientific organizations is also highlighted, as are the politics of Academy of Science reform. The author concludes by noting that while there is a significant increase in scientific freedom under perestroika, this new-found freedom may be circumscribed by the harsh socio-economic realities facing the USSR.