Thread: The views of Russians, according to the "Pew Institute". True or false?

Originally Posted by Eric C.

That means you think they only miss the political/economic system, doesn't it?

I can't say for all, there are some people, of course, who miss all the might of the super-power. They have the so called 'imperial complex' but it would be a mistake to think that all people who miss USSR are alike. The good thing about USSR is that they told us that there are more important things in the world than money. Now they're telling us otherwise and I can hardly call it a turn for the better.

Originally Posted by Ramil

In USSR 'success' could mean anything - you could be a good doctor or a good teacher, a good factory worker even or a good scientist.

Originally Posted by Ramil

The good thing about USSR is that they told us that there are more important things in the world than money.

Those are the exact reasons that I have some degree of respect and admiration for the USSR. I know there were many downsides, but this is unique and very cool. Because of what happened in the USSR, other countries shaped up due to fear of a revolution. Plus, I think that for the last 30 years of so of its existence, the USSR was no worse than lots of other countries, either towards its own citizens or anyone else. It raised the living standard of millions of people and gave them access to good education, free healthcare and a secure job.

All of this gets lost among endless talk about gulags, Stalin, nuclear weapons and spies....

It raised the living standard of millions of people and gave them access to good education, free healthcare and a secure job.

That might be true for most of Russia and Central-Asia.
But not for occupied Baltic states - where occupation lowered living standards.

Originally Posted by nulle

That might be true for most of Russia and Central-Asia.
But not for occupied Baltic states - where occupation lowered living standards.

Означает ли это, что Россия и азиатские страны были что называется паразитами на теле Латвии и повысили свой уровень жизни за её счёт?

Originally Posted by nulle

That might be true for most of Russia and Central-Asia.
But not for occupied Baltic states - where occupation lowered living standards.

Yeah, everyone knows that there was a paradise on Earth in Baltic states before 1940. I'm sure Baltic media tried very hard in 1990s to 'prove' that.

Originally Posted by Ramil

Yeah, everyone knows that there was a paradise on Earth in Baltic states before 1940. I'm sure Baltic media tried very hard in 1990s to 'prove' that.

Maybe lowering here does not necessarily imply absolute lowering, but something like preventing them from rising to the enough level?