Perestroika was a political movement in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev. It aimed to reform the stagnant economy and make the government more open and transparent. The term means "restructuring" in Russian, and it focused on introducing elements of capitalism, such as private ownership and market competition, to improve efficiency and productivity. Alongside Perestroika, Gorbachev also introduced Glasnost, which encouraged freedom of expression and reduced censorship. This openness allowed citizens to voice their opinions and criticize the government, leading to significant social changes. Ultimately, these reforms contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.