[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I think this is something many people gloss over when it comes to the USSR. U.S. foreign policy had a huge impact on Soviet domestic policy. This isn't to absolve the Soviets of their atrocities and various, but the defense/intelligence spending and the inability to engage in trade with the U.S. and many American allies definitely impacted what happened within the country.

This is where the whole socialism vs. capitalism debate gets lost in the weeds a bit because you've rarely had instances in which the U.S. hasn't tried to undermine socialists regimes (coups, CIA operations, trade embargos, etc.) to protect their own corporate interests.

For the record, I largely am in favour of private enterprise but, with limits and regulations that prevent corporations from having outsized influence in government and society. I do think there should be some level of state or collective ownership of a country's natural resources for both economic and national security purposes. I'm also in favour of ensuring governments take care of their citizens first. Health care, education (including post-secondary), housing, and basic sustenance should be guaranteed regardless of your ability or desire to work.

How those beliefs come to pass policy-wise is obviously going to vary country to country.

Obviously a fairly left-wing ideology, but hardly a hardcore socialist by the original definition of the term.

Sounds like you would actually quite like modern China.