The Reform of the Soviet Economie System Under Gorbachev : Possibilities and Limitations. At Brezhnev's death in 1982, the Soviet Union was faced with a series of economic problems, among others. Although since 1983, thanks to Andropov's efforts, the Soviet national economy has been improved, many difficulties remained after Gorbachev came to power. Apart its « classical » problems, the Soviet Union has to deal with three serious challenges : a new round of arms race characterized by the American « star war » program, a new world technological revolution and the reforms of economic systems in East European countries and in China. In the author's view, there are two ways to resolve the main Soviet economic problems : an acceleration of sci...