I know that a certain part of Gorbachev's actions were driven by pressure from the Soviet Unions newly aquired free speech that he had given them, and also driven by his personal desire to reform the country. How much of Gorbachev's reforms were his own wish, and what was his ideal view of the Soviet Union when he took office?
Archived Post with a discussion that covers this.
u/JSX13
And another discussion here that talks about the intentions behind Glasnost and Perestroika.
u/Subs-man