Rebuking Soviet IMF Membership in an Era of Glasnost
Rebuking Soviet IMF Membership in an Era of Glasnost

Summary/Abstract: Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was keen to join the IMF as a sign of the international community’s confidence in perestroika and in his leadership. Based on archival material, US government freedom of information requests, and personal interviews it appears that the Soviet application to join the IMF was rejected. The G7, led by the United States, had serious doubts about Gorbachev’s commitment to join the free-market community. In contrast, first Russian President Boris Yeltsin was encouraged to apply for full membership only days after taking office. This article chronicles the debate in international capitals on the fate of the Soviet application in the IMF and reveals this unknown period of international relations. Moreover, this case teaches us the value of being viewed as a part of the community of states as an explanation for gaining membership into international organization.

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