Which of the following statements best describes Soviet politics during the post-Stalin era until the rise of Gorbachev in 1985?

a. There was an increased effort to allow foreign ideas to influence cultural affairs.
b. Internal party structures were decentralized allowing the rise of regional leaders who were less beholden to the central party.
c. The period saw the development of a more predictable and relatively stable authoritarian system.
d. Economic growth continued to grow at a steady pace although living standards improved only minimally as the state and party tended to draw resources away from the people.
e. Political terror remained constant.

c