On my Country and the World by Mikhail Gorbachev

 The departure of Mikhail Gorbachev yesterday remind us that there has been a time in which the western part of the world lived with relaxation the relations with Russia and that times were much better than not these ones.

That Gorbachev has been the key character of the process of liberation from the Communism it is true. 

There is also to add that, if we, part of the Western world have lived Gorbachev as a big hero, because he had set free its own population from a regime too strong and limitative, different has been the perception of Russians and part of the ex Soviet Republics. Most of that citizens will tell you that Gorbachev had demolished a great empire.

I know that these two perspectives are so different: that's why I invite you to read this book published by Columbia University Press On My Country and the World

written by Mikhail Gorbachev Foreword by William Taubman: this one is the 20th anniversary edition.

In the book Gorbachev introduces with clarity what it meant the October Revolution of 1917, seeing the process as a good step for the modernization of Russia. So, to him the revolution wanted by Lenin has been positive, also, where possible for the West part of the world. In another section it is taken in consideration his arrival and the goals of Perestroika. 

In an interesting chapter Gorbachev affirms that now it wouldn't be impossible a strong confrontation with States indepedendent like Ukraine because, writes Gorbachev "Would drag the Russian people and not only the Russian people, into bloodhsed."

Russia, to Gorbachev should search for another model seeing included of course in this new model Ukraine and other States: a sort of Federation of States, ending the chapter with this prophetic phrase: " A new Union can be created." 

Gorbachev affirms also that after the fall of the Communism there was an absence of new policies in grade to give answers to the international relations: it's difficult and it takes time to change a vision, but it was necessary to Gorbachev for the creation of a best and pacific world.

Gorbachev and arms: Europe became during the Cold War a place densely populated by the most diversified arms, and the main desire of the world at a certain point was the denuclearization of the world. 

Why this? Because these kind of arms never seen before the Nagasaki and Hiroshima's catastrophic results, appeared like the biggest phantom that needed to be defeated, although the race for always new weapons, including the nuclear ones, became an obsession for the USA and Russia: but Russia started a serious discussion on the topic: what to do? That weapons meant and means a real catastrophe for the world. 

Although a new approach with the rest of the world started to be searched from the latest years of the Stalinism, it was only at the beginning of 1980s that Russia decided to research for peace, constructive dialogue with the rest of the world: it was researched a solidariety passing through solid relationship in grade to set the world free from nuclear threats , suspicion, fear, animosity, writes Gorbachev. 

What it was indispensible to do was a relaxation of relationship with the USA: both the countries and their allied had to live a beautiful life, avoiding nuclear war and, writes Gorbachev "in guaranteeing the security of both countries, of preserving life itself for our respective people". Sure, each country had to preserve proper tradition and customs: a real change shouldn't involve the authenticity of customs, because, writes Gorbachev: "Each Nation has the right to live as it wishes. There is no other alternative." 

Building bridges meant construction from both sides. 

What anyway was done at first with the Warsaw Act (between Soviet Union and its allied) in 1985 implied a profound change: for the first time Russia emphasized principles of independence, equality and non interference in one's another internal affair. Something new, although some countries lived pretty skeptical this new decision considering that in the past Russia used in Czechoslovakia the strength for taming the population. 

But Gorbachev, was a genuine visionary. He thought that "Humanity and civilization must survive. ...This can be ensured only by learning lo live together, to get along side by side on this small planet by mastering the difficult art of considering one another's interest."

Splendid words!

In an interview in the Pravda, the official newsmagazine of Moscow, Gorbachev invited at a moratorium of the most dangerous arms, thinking also to build a Common European Home, thanks to cooperation and peaceful relations with every European country.

On July 30 the moratorium on nuclear testing, started on August 6 1985 asking to the US to do the same.

Sometimes decisions taken by Moscow were just unilateral, but in most cases the USA followed the good example of Moscow.

On climate changes, Gorbachev had clear idea 20 years ago and more: "Prognosis differ regarding the number of years remaining before worsening global problems, especially environmental probems, become catastrophic....The human race has only decades, not centuries to resolve its global problems. ...Delay or refusal....could lead to the gradual extinction of humanity."

Unfortunately, if there are realities pretty good in the world, "politicians are yet behind science" writes Gorbachev. 

Progress unfortunately, if helped the human race, viceversa has created problems because of the massive abuse of natural resources as if the man would be the king of the world and these resources can't be used forever. 

Gorbachev, was also convinced that the human drama and the drama of nature should be of equal concern to us, and it is true. Old people here said that when environment is under stress man can't find peace.

Peace in Europe to Gorbachev 

"A joint future or peace won't never exist at all. A reliable basis for such coooperation exists in the common roots of European culture and a common history, as well as an undeniable common interest in peace and stability, adding that a joint future and continent wide-security require above all, profound and widely ramified cooperation on a Europe-wide basis in the main spheres of life."

Well, this one was a wise man. I have always appreciated Gorbachev. I lived him as a western person,happy to see Eastern countries more relaxed. I understand also the point of view of Eastern people.

May the words of Gorbachev resonates strongly: this man was a  Russian with a clear vision of interconnession between Russia and Europe and the USA because of the beauty and survival of the world: someone who thought that decisions had to be taken by the main protagonists for keeping the world a safe place where to live in: a man who had clear in his mind that climate changes needed to be resolved. A man who truly loved this old world and had a clear vision of what he wanted: a best world for everyone.

It's shocking that we are returned in a Cold War.

I just hope that it will end soon for the good of Humanity.

The writing-style of Gorbacev is pretty Russian: so, it is calm, meditative, he doesn't rush, but wants to be absorbed by the reader. This book can be read by everyone and I highly suggest it to everyone. If you lived when Communism fell, you will remember the joy of that moment in our part of the world: if, differently you have been born after that fact, you will read a wonderful book written with the heart by the man who tried to change the world for better.

Let's also add that Gorbachev was a pacifist, and that he aborred every kind of use of arms.

I thank Columbia University Press for the physical copy of the book.

Anna Maria Polidori