In a way, yes. Capitalism paved the way for Proletarian revolution, which ultimately was a dramatic improvement on the largely unindustrialized and poor backwater Tsarist regime.

[–] Klear@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

No, Stalin's Russia was a paradise for all with zero issues, obviously.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago

It was certainly a dramatic improvement on the Tsarist regime, but it wasn't a mythical worker paradise either. Blackshirts and Reds is a good book on the subject.

[–] AntiOutsideAktion@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago

Stalin saved the world from fascism and liberals will never forgive him for it

[–] NutWrench@lemmy.ml -4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The point is that it's a class war. It always has been. It's about a system of government where the country's wealth is concentrated into a small, ruling class of billionaires, who use the media they own to keep the lower classes fighting with each other while they . . . the rich . . . run off with all the farking money.

Oh wait. that's capitalism. Amazing how much soviet Russians government has in common with "capitalism."

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Wealth concentration was far more equalized in the Soviet system and far more concentrated in the Capitalist system it is today and the Tsarist regime it was before. This wealth was expanded into large safety nets like free healthcare and education, large infrastructure projects like trains, and public housing, as in the Soviet system the Proletariat had control.

It certainly wasn't perfect, but it wasn't Capitalism by any stretch, even during the NEP when there was significant market forces at play. The Soviet economy was based on public ownership and central planning, which are pillars of the Marxian view of Socialism.

Blackshirts and Reds is an excellent critical look at the USSR, where it succeeded and where it failed. If you want something more technical, Is the Red Flag Flying? is a good resource for the depth and foundations of the Soviet Economy.

[–] flashgnash@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

That's not capitalism that's just greed, one is an economic system the other is human nature that'll come out in any society

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The problem is that NutWrench is wrong, here. Wealth disparity shrank during the Soviet system and was higher before and after it, while median wages rose and GDP rapidly grew.