Foundation And Ideals: The USSR was established in the aftermath of the 1917 socialist revolution in Russia. The guiding philosophy of this revolution was socialism, which sought to counter the perceived inequities inherent in capitalism. The core ambition was to create a society where everyone was equal.

Abolishing Private Property: A radical step taken by the USSR was the near-total abolition of private property. This was a profound departure from traditional economic systems and aimed to ensure that wealth and resources were distributed more evenly.

State Primacy And Political Structure: The Soviet system was structured such that the state, led by the Communist Party, had overarching authority. The Communist Party was the sole political entity, meaning no other political parties or opposition were permitted. This resulted in a highly centralised power structure.

Economic Planning: The USSR’s economy was strictly regulated by the state. Decisions regarding production, distribution, and pricing were made by central planners rather than the market.

Post-World War II Influence: Following World War II, the USSR exerted significant influence over Eastern European countries that its forces had liberated from fascist rule. These countries, whether willingly or through coercion, adopted political and economic models similar to that of the USSR.

The Socialist Bloc And The Warsaw Pact: This collection of USSR-influenced countries became known as the ‘socialist bloc’ or the Second World. To ensure mutual defence and maintain Soviet dominance, the Warsaw Pact was established, binding these nations in a military alliance with the USSR at its helm.

Global Stature Post-WWII: After World War II, the Soviet Union emerged as a global superpower, rivalling only the United States. Its economy was vast, characterised by a sprawling communications network, a robust energy sector, efficient transport systems, and substantial machinery production.

Consumer Industry: The Soviet Union had a wide-ranging consumer industry that produced a vast array of goods, from simple items like pins to complex ones like cars. However, the quality of many of these goods was often seen as inferior when compared to products from Western capitalist nations.