The Decline of the Soviet Union Continued

As I discussed in my previous blog, I really believe that the Polish Solidarity Movement essentially triggered a state of panic in the Communist state by revealing the cracks in the Communist system--revealing the vulnerability of the Communist system. While the Polish Solidarity Movement did undoubtedly reveal the cracks in the Communist system, Grobachev's briefing of the Russian Duma in 1991 reveals the severity of the weakness of the Communist Party.

For me, one question in particular asked to Grobachev stood out as being particularly shocking, and it was when "Someone asks whether socialism should be banned from the USSR and the Communist Party disbanded as a criminal organization". If this had been asked at any previous period of time, whoever asked the question would undoubtedly face severe consequences for asking such a controversial question, however, since the Polish Solidarity Movement had already revealed the cracks in the Communist System, this question was taken seriously. Grobachev responds to this question by saying "The question is worded in a very straightforward manner, and I will answer accordingly". While his actual answer follows this statement (obviously) I think that this response is hugely important and cannot be overlooked. While this response doesn't necessarily imply that the question should be considered a possibility or the truth, it does address the question as a legitimate one. Why is it that, all of a sudden, questions such as this one can be asked to Grobachev and not be considered a direct threat to the state? Why isn't this question just ignored as ludicrous? Grobachev in fact seems to take the question seriously, as if he understands where this question is rooted and why someone would even consider it. The fact that even the leader of the Soviet Union can address such a question about the Communist state in such a calm manner and take it so seriously reveals the true fragility of the Soviet Union.