Mikhail Gorbachev initiated the policy of Perestroika, meaning "restructuring," in the mid-1980s as part of his efforts to reform the Soviet Union. Aimed at modernizing the economy and increasing transparency in governance, Perestroika sought to address the stagnation experienced in Soviet society. Gorbachev's reforms attempted to introduce elements of a market economy and foster democracy, ultimately leading to significant political changes. While it was intended to strengthen the USSR, Perestroika, along with Glasnost (openness), contributed to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.