this post was submitted on 15 Mar 2025
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[–] HighFructoseLowStand@lemm.ee 1 points 12 hours ago (2 children)

That's what dissent is.

Nothing you said disputes it being a dictatorship. The people could not choose their leaders, there were no limits on the power of their leaders, er go it was a dictatorship. None of your "pros" matter. And that's before we get into the lack of freedom of speech and press and total absence of transparency, meaning that I have no reason to trust those supposed accomplishments.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 7 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

No, that isn't what dissent is, it was a fundamental liberalization of the economy that favored private property over public.

Secondly, they absolutely chose their leaders.

Finally, you say life expectancy, literacy rates, and worker rights "don't matter?" That strong, sustained economic growth doesn't matter? You must be trolling.

As for distrusting the sources, you can look into them yourselves, they are well-respected.

[–] Edie@lemmy.ml 5 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

None of your “pros” matter

Healthcare? Doesn't matter.
Education? Literacy? Reading is how the communist get you, remain illiterate.
Full employment? You don't need to feed your family.
Life expectancy? Why prolong the suffering?

[–] HighFructoseLowStand@lemm.ee -2 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

We weren't debating the quality of the Soviet Union. We were debating whether or not it was a dictatorship.

[–] davel@lemmy.ml 3 points 10 hours ago

Declassified CIA report:

Even in Stalin’s time there was collective leadership. The Western idea of a dictator within the Communist setup is exaggerated. Misunderstandings on that subject are caused by lack of comprehension of the real nature and organization of the Communist power structure. Stalin, although holding wide powers, was merely the captain of a team and it seems obvious that Khrushchev will be the new captain.

A lot of the cold war propaganda about the USSR turned out to be bullshit, now that US & Soviet archives have been released, as contemporary Western academic historians will tell you, like Domenico Losurdo and Grover Furr.