unfortunate detour

Stalin industrialized Russia in the span of about ten years, and Marshal Zhukov was the decisive force against the Nazi's. But Stalin wrecked the communist project probably more than anybody else- Stalin would have imprisoned characters like Karl Marx, and his purges have created a permanent negative legacy from which communists worldwide have never been able to fully recover.

The fatal blow occurred early on- Lenin was embroiled in debate over the nature of the party itself (about 1920). Democratic forces led by Rosa Luxemburg advocated for multiple parties. When it was decided that only one party would exist, she wanted to allow differing factions. Lenin said no, and the rest is history.

The Iron law of Oligarchy combined with nationalism eventually toppled the Soviet Union. Reagan didn't defeat Soviet communism- they could have muddled through, like many other repressive states that are economically depleted...and Reagan absolutely did not encourage Yeltsin in any way... Gorbachev took the fear away and allowed citizens to protest in the street, (then) it was all over.

The Soviets were never very 'communist' anyway- they practiced a form of 'socialism' technically called 'state capitalism.' And Communism, albeit watered down, is still around- in Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, West Bengal,... and hundreds of cites around the world are run by Communist mayors.....

Thomas More wrote a very influentual book about 1515-"Utopia." This communist tract may have influenced the early Mormon church. A special 'United Order' was formed by Joseph Smith where all property was held in common, but the effort eventually faltered.... its ironic, because now the Mormon church is absolutely 'capitalistic' and pro-corporate.