Print Introduction

Apr 25, 2012

Bringing together little-known archival footage and brand-new interviews, "Playing for Power" sheds light on the prominent and backroom players who brought Boris Yeltsin to power in 1991, but lost momentum during the implementation of democracy in Russia.

A series of complex power plays brought down the Soviet Union. Mikhail Gorbachev's long-term vision of change opened the door to a range of players, from democratic Russian reformers to hardline Soviet communists. These players competed for power and influence. The winners destroyed the Soviet Union and constructed a flawed democracy in its place.

During this hour-long TV show, the Carnegie Ethics Studio introduces the characters who wrestled for control, and sets out the lessons the world can take from this turbulent period.

Download the PDF below for an introduction to the key players, a timeline of events, and more.

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