What was the ultimate goal of prestroika?

The ultimate goal of perestroika, initiated by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s, was to reform the stagnant Soviet economy and political system to increase efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness to citizens' needs. By introducing elements of market economics and decentralizing decision-making, Gorbachev aimed to revitalize the economy while maintaining the Communist Party's control. Ultimately, however, perestroika contributed to significant political upheaval, leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.