The significant political change that took place in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s was the introduction of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) under **Mikhail Gorbachev**. Glasnost allowed for increased freedom of expression and transparency in government, while perestroika aimed at economic reforms. These policies led to a gradual dismantling of strict governmental control and the promotion of a more market-oriented economy. The changes ultimately contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe and the onset of democratic movements.