I didn't solely mean the bases, but the level of financial, humanitarian aid, etc. in general shortly after the WW2. The socialist part then just lost their opportunity to get the benefits because their bosses told them to refuse any help from the west countries, meanwhile those bosses were too affected by the war themselves (unlike the U.S.), which pretty much ruined any chances they would help. And having gotten in the socialist trap, locked down and without help, the eastern Europe just got what it got. A simple look at both west and east Berlin parts after the collapse of the Berlin wall was enough to see which system was better.

The socialist bosses, however, would always be harsh on their socialist puppets did those show any disobeyance. (like those events in 1968 )