[Ray20]

>Even among its peasants

No, it wasn't. This is Soviet propaganda, that existed only because people who expressed different opinions were killed. As far as I understand, the situation in Botswana is much better when it comes to expressing one's opinion. So I am interested in what they think about this issue.

[varjag]

You would not have been killed in Khrustchev times for expressing a dissatisfaction with the space programme, even though it certainly deviated from the party line. Perhaps it's worth considering that what people find inspiring does not necessarily reflect their material condition: humans are complex creatures.

[Ray20]

You are buying Soviet propaganda. Just an example of what what happening in Khrustchev times for expressing a dissatisfaction:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novocherkassk_massacre

[varjag]

I grew up in Soviet Union and have a pretty solid idea what you could and what you could not say, but thanks for trivia.

A life anecdote: in mid 1980s my classmate shot the Lenin portrait in the classroom through a straw. His parents were called in and reprimanded. In 1950s they'd been in real trouble; in 1937 they would have been arrested, tortured and likely killed. In 1989 nobody would have cared.

[dingnuts]

just ten years in the gulag archipelago I guess lol, not death!

[varjag]

GULag system was disbanded by same Khrushchev in favor of traditional prisons.

[StefanBatory]

Are you interested in their opinion when you instantly dismiss one?

[epolanski]

I'm from the former communist block and let me tell you: you have no idea what are you talking about. Zero, none.

You seem to be regurgitating stereotypes.