... backlash and with that misconceived coup d'etat exhausted their possibilities of retaining power in the Soviet Union. This leaves the immense and currently overpowering force emanating from the republics themselves. Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian Republic, and other leaders of individual republics have stepped in and taken Gorbachev's power from him as the people demand decentralization. These men have been elected ... constituencies and represent the first chance citizens of the Soviet Union have had the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process of government, ...

• Word Count: 3267
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: Undergraduate