Europe
The domino effect: Gorbachev's policies of perestroika and glasnost, along with the fall of the Berlin Wall, started a chain of events that led to the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe.
Increased stability and cooperation: The end of the Cold War brought an era of peace and cooperation in Europe. The European Union expanded to include former Soviet bloc countries, fostering political and economic integration.
Changes in international relations: The collapse of the Soviet Union shifted the balance of power in Europe. The U.S. emerged as the sole superpower, while the EU gained increased economic and political influence.
World
End of bipolarity: The end of the Cold War brought about a shift from a bipolar to a unipolar world order, with the United States as the sole global superpower.
Nuclear disarmament: The reduction in nuclear arsenals brought by arms control agreements between the U.S. and the USSR improved global security.
Greater globalization: The fall of the Soviet Union led to increased globalization, with the spread of Western culture, economics, and technology to the former communist countries.
Reshaping of international institutions: The demise of the Soviet Union had a profound impact on international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank, leading to changes in their structures and mandates.
Influence on decolonization and democratic movements: Gorbachev's policies inspired democratic movements in countries struggling against oppressive regimes, contributing to the wave of decolonization and democratization around the world.
It's important to note that while Gorbachev's policies played a significant role, they were only one part of a complex web of factors that led to the fall of the Soviet Union and its widespread effects on Europe and the world.