r/seculartalk • u/The_Grizzly- No Party Affiliation • Aug 11 '24
Debate & Discussion Thoughts on the USSR?
Context: I’ve seen Kyle mention the USSR a few times. I don’t remember exactly when, but I know once he did regarding the USSR nationalizing the automobile industry. Considering his progressive views, I want to know your thoughts on the USSR.
91 votes,
Aug 14 '24
4
Very Positive
5
Good
3
Neutral
25
Some Good Some Bad
23
Bad
31
Very Negative
1
Upvotes
3
u/Narcan9 Socialist Aug 12 '24
I married a woman with parents from Ukraine, and Russia. Upon visiting first hand I thought, "you guys are just like Americans". White Moms and Dads just raising typical families with 2 or 3 children. Usually the US oppresses people with brown skin. They had parks, swimming pools, roller coasters, water slides (slightly more painful ones). They didn't have McDonalds, but they had restaurants that were poorly similar. It all made the Cold War I grew up in, seem insane. I had some years as a child that I went to bed, afraid of nuclear war.
The classless status meant anyone (men) could potentially go to University and rise in the ranks of society. A smart peasant kid could end up in high level positions in research or industry. Everyone had a home and received a pension, even if they were modest. Her parents drove the same old Lada for 20 years.
From my POV, the USSR was quite successful. They were a country of poor peasants, devastated by multiple wars. Yet in just a few decades they became an industrial superpower, with 99% literacy, who beat the US in the space race, and rivaled them in nuclear technology.