ABSTRACT
The first half of the 1980s was marked by rapid shifts in the Soviet central leadership. Iurii Andropov's short reign was followed by Konstantin Ustinovich Chernenko's equally brief period in power. The regional policy that had developed under Brezhnev was, in the main, continued during the Andropov and Chernenko periods. The large-scale economic experiment in industry, which was decided upon under Andropov and begun in January 1984, was continued in 1985. The main principle of the experiment is said to be greater independence and greater responsibility for the enterprises. During Mikhail Gorbachev's period as Soviet leader further changes in the system of planning and management can be expected. These changes have a small impact on the regional policy. It seems clear that Gorbachev continues to emphasize the development of Siberia and the Far East and the modernization of the western parts of the USSR.
