“…The right felt that things had gone too far, while the left believed that on the most contentious issues -confederalism, multipartyism, Article 6 of the constitution and radical economic reform -Gorbachev gave way only slowly, grudgingly, often partially and after initial opposition, chiefly because of his desire to bring the CPSU apparat along in his wake. 48 The nature of Gorbachev's vision of a reformed USSR remains 'frustratingly elusive'. 49 This is no wonder: Gorbachev was increasingly driven not by optimism but by desperation.…”