[defrost]

Sure, but

  effectively what became synonymous with communism just about everywhere

is a cultural association, not an actual real "always happens" coupling

  Curiously enough none of the Communist states

sorry, what actual communist states?

  ever really transitioned from that intermediate state to full communism.

of course not, they were all highjacked by opportunistic epaulette wearing authoritarians dangling a dream.

Much as, say, the notions of freedom, fairness, and making central north america great again has been a beard for robber barons.