... Ryzhkov was opposed to the fast track approach. He believed the state should retain power with regards to the economy. Gorbachev tried to remain in the middle and proposed the two groups mesh their ideas and work up a comparable solution. "This was akin to trying to mix fire and water or chalk and cheese. It could not be done. In the meanwhile the economy continued on its ... downward spiral- (McCauley 348). At first Gorbachev seemed receptive to the 500-day proposal but in October of 1990 he retreated from his backing of the programme. This was detrimental to Gorbachev. According to Mc...

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• Grade Level: High School