Nel solco di Andropov: moralismo e riformismo dall’alto nel primo Gorbačëv (1985-1986)

The article explores the early phase of Mikhail Gorbachev’s leadership (1985-1986), marked by top-down reform efforts inspired by Yuri Andropov. It analyzes initiatives such as the anti-alcohol campaign, the fight against corruption, and the “acceleration” (uskorenie) program, all aimed at revitalizing the Soviet system without dismantling it. These policies reveal a continuity with Andropov’s moralistic legacy and expose the limits of a reformist vision constrained by old structures, ultimately leading to deeper systemic crises.