[soco]

I argue that the ways of the Russian Empire weren't that much different from the Soviet Union ways - both internally and with its vassal states.

[tristor]

"New boss... same as the old boss." as they say. This is true for most regime changes in history. Those in power change, and their motivated reasoning may change, but the net effects on those down the stack is pretty much the same.

[artem247]

I would say that Russian Empire and USSR were similar in the methods of achieving their goals — a lot of rigid hierarchical structures, top-down management, a certain level of brutality. But the goals were very different.

[thriftwy]

Russian Empire was very different, like South Korea - North Korea different.