--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The opponents of perestroika had suffered…" description: "\"The opponents of perestroika had suffered a defeat, and then they organized the coup.\" — Mikhail Gorbachev" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg" --- # The opponents of perestroika had suffered a defeat, and… ![“The opponents of perestroika had suffered a defeat, and then they organized the coup.” quote by Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg) > “The opponents of perestroika had suffered a defeat, and then they organized the coup.” [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Opponents who lose a political battle may regroup and attempt a coup, highlighting resilience of dissent. **In simple terms:** Defeated foes can still strike back. Key Takeaway Remain vigilant after setbacks. Themes politics power resilience Mood cautious critical Type political historical When to use this quote - post‑election periods - authoritarian shifts - political crises Key Concepts coup strategic retaliation Questions to Reflect On - What drives defeated groups to seize power? - How can societies prevent retaliatory coups? A Different Perspective Coup attempts can destabilize societies further. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coups/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Perestroika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perestroika/) ## Related quotes > [It is precisely when we have suffered defeat that we can determine to win and open the path to future victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-precisely-when-we-have-suffered-defeat-that-we-can-determine-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have suffered defeat, pain, loss .Still I push to the edge, never falter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/all-that-remains/i-have-suffered-defeat-pain-loss-still-i-push-to-the-edge-never-falter/) [All That Remains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/all-that-remains/) > [Sometimes people ask me why I began perestroika. Were the causes basically domestic or foreign? The domestic reasons were undoubtedly the main ones, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/sometimes-people-ask-me-why-i-began-perestroika-were-the-causes/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [I paid too heavy a price for perestroika.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/i-paid-too-heavy-a-price-for-perestroika/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [If the Russian word "perestroika" has easily entered the international lexicon, this is due to more than just interest in what is going on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/if-the-russian-word-perestroika-has-easily-entered-the-international/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [Without perestroika, the cold war simply would not have ended. But the world could not continue developing as it had, with the stark menace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/without-perestroika-the-cold-war-simply-would-not-have-ended-but-the/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [“Those admirers created so strong a ballast against possible Kremlin tampering with the jury vote that it was said years later by critic Tamara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-isacoff/those-admirers-created-so-strong-a-ballast-against-possible-kremlin/) [Stuart Isacoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-isacoff/) > [“Life is much richer and more complex than even the most perfect plans to make it better. It ultimately takes vengeance for attempts to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-s-gorbachev/life-is-much-richer-and-more-complex-than-even-the-most-perfect-plans/) [Mikhail S. Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-s-gorbachev/) > [There is no greater advocate of perestroika than the president of the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/there-is-no-greater-advocate-of-perestroika-than-the-president-of-the/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [Cuba needs a dose of perestroika.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-fuentes/cuba-needs-a-dose-of-perestroika/) [Carlos Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-fuentes/) > [Perestroika is nothing more than refined Stalinism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-quayle/perestroika-is-nothing-more-than-refined-stalinism/) [Dan Quayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-quayle/) > [“I have long ago made a final and irrevocable decision. 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Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-s-gorbachev/) > [The essential meaning of perestroika for Gorbachev and his supporters was creating and acting on alternatives to failed and dangerous policies at home and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-cohen/the-essential-meaning-of-perestroika-for-gorbachev-and-his-supporters/) [Stephen Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-cohen/) ## More by Mikhail Gorbachev > [Gentlemen, comrades, do not be concerned about all you hear about Glasnost and Perestroika and democracy in the coming years. They are primarily for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/gentlemen-comrades-do-not-be-concerned-about-all-you-hear-about/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [We have no right ever to forget that psychological warfare is a struggle for winning people's minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/we-have-no-right-ever-to-forget-that-psychological-warfare-is-a/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [The most puzzling development in politics during the last decade is the apparent determination of Western European leaders to re-create the Soviet Union in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-most-puzzling-development-in-politics-during-the-last-decade-is/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [In effect, according to Lenin, socialism and democracy are indivisible. By gaining democratic freedoms the working masses come to power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/in-effect-according-to-lenin-socialism-and-democracy-are-indivisible/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [The shortage of fresh water is the major ecological problem of this moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-shortage-of-fresh-water-is-the-major-ecological-problem-of-this/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [If people don't like Marxism, they should blame the British Museum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/if-people-don-t-like-marxism-they-should-blame-the-british-museum/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [The time has come to choose a new direction of global development, to opt for a new civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-time-has-come-to-choose-a-new-direction-of-global-development-to/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [In Russia, there are those who make their money in criminal ways, but I earn everything myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/in-russia-there-are-those-who-make-their-money-in-criminal-ways-but-i/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [Without perestroika, the cold war simply would not have ended. But the world could not continue developing as it had, with the stark menace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/without-perestroika-the-cold-war-simply-would-not-have-ended-but-the/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [What happened to the Soviet Union happened mainly for domestic reasons. It was a failure of the model based on a command economy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/what-happened-to-the-soviet-union-happened-mainly-for-domestic/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [Women prevent the threads of life from being broken. The finest minds have always understood the peacemaking role of women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/women-prevent-the-threads-of-life-from-being-broken-the-finest-minds/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [For the first time ever, we have confronted in reality the sinister power of uncontrolled nuclear energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/for-the-first-time-ever-we-have-confronted-in-reality-the-sinister/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [A new world order is taking shape so fast that governments as well as private citizens find it difficult just to absorb the gallop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/a-new-world-order-is-taking-shape-so-fast-that-governments-as-well-as/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [It seems that the most important thing about Reagan was his anti-Communism and his reputation as a hawk who saw the Soviet Union as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/it-seems-that-the-most-important-thing-about-reagan-was-his-anti/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) > [The threat of environmental crisis is the 'international disaster key' to unlock the New World Order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-threat-of-environmental-crisis-is-the-international-disaster-key/) [Mikhail Gorbachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) [Explore all 163 Mikhail Gorbachev quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/) ## More Coups quotes > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [All democracies turn into dictatorships - but not by coup. The people give their democracy to a dictator, whether it's Julius Caesar or Napoleon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/all-democracies-turn-into-dictatorships-but-not-by-coup-the-people/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [When I see the worsening degeneracy in our politicians, our media, our educators, and our intelligentsia, I can't help wondering if the day may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/when-i-see-the-worsening-degeneracy-in-our-politicians-our-media-our/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [What really worries me is that those who are in positions of power are not really affected by what we are writing. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/what-really-worries-me-is-that-those-who-are-in-positions-of-power/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Love is now, is always. All that is missing is the coup de grâce- which is called passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarice-lispector/love-is-now-is-always-all-that-is-missing-is-the-coup-de-gr-ce-which/) [Clarice Lispector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarice-lispector/) > [When I was thinking about what we could do in terms of what production values of Broadway might be able to add to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-timbers/when-i-was-thinking-about-what-we-could-do-in-terms-of-what/) [Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-timbers/) > [the marks humans leave are too often scars. You build a hideous minimall or start a coup or try to become a rock star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/the-marks-humans-leave-are-too-often-scars-you-build-a-hideous/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [What happened in Ukraine? The coup d'état in Ukraine has led to a civil war, because, yes, let's say, many Ukrainians no longer trusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/what-happened-in-ukraine-the-coup-d-tat-in-ukraine-has-led-to-a-civil/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [There are no term limits on His reign. He has always been King and He always will be King. There is no death that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-storms/there-are-no-term-limits-on-his-reign-he-has-always-been-king-and-he/) [Sam Storms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-storms/) > [ Brave men are brave from the very first. \[Fr., Les hommes valeureux le sont au premier coup.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-corneille/brave-men-are-brave-from-the-very-first-fr-les-hommes-valeureux-le/) [Pierre Corneille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-corneille/) > [My biggest disappointment was, of course, the coup attempts, ... The economy was proceeding very well, but in 1989 we had the most serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corazon-aquino/my-biggest-disappointment-was-of-course-the-coup-attempts-the-economy/) [Corazon Aquino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corazon-aquino/) > [Why should we care about the coup? 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Besides…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/next-time-i-go-into-the-action-i-shall-command-a-hundred-men-possibly/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) [Browse all 95 Coups quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coups/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The opponents of perestroika had suffered a defeat, and then they organized the coup.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mikhail Gorbachev" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffered-a-defeat-and-then-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Coups" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffered-a-defeat-and-then-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffc/mikhail-gorbachev-2500_coups_the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffere_725983.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The opponents of perestroika had suffered a defeat, and then they organized the coup.” — Mikhail Gorbachev", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mikhail Gorbachev", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-gorbachev/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The opponents of perestroika had suffered...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffered-a-defeat-and-then-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-gorbachev/the-opponents-of-perestroika-had-suffered-a-defeat-and-then-they/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```