Living under Socialism
In socialist nations, progressive policies such as rights for minorities, abortion, strong public health care and good health care systems, and effective educational reforms become law. This is primarily because the state controls the country’s economy, output, and pieces. One can get more resources; in most cases, the poor people are catered to in terms of necessities. Therefore, growing up in a socialist regime can be desirable to some individuals.
Unfortunately, people who have grown up in socialist regimes have their freedoms disregarded. Under socialism, enjoying political freedom and stable institutions is impossible. This failed regressive ideology serves the leaders or those in top positions in the government as it impoverishes the masses. Therefore, most people are deprived of rights and freedoms such as expression and deprived of their necessities. This shows how socialism contributed to the suffering of low-income individuals.
How Propaganda Functioned and Forms Used
Socialist regimes have survived due to the leader’s mastery of propaganda. Remarkably, it entails the artistic and social promotion of ideologies. For Instance, a leader like Josef Stalin used documentary photographs with his pockmarked face to ensure he eliminated competition to his power and controlled everything (Prof. B, 2021b, 00: 00: 01). Consequently, Stalin did so by ensuring that editors retouched the same photo repeatedly.
Leaders who believed in socialism adapted photographic manipulation to shape their public image. Leaders under Stalin made editors spend several hours smoothing the blemishes of his complexion. Such actions contributed to the falsification of reality. Stalin doctored photos to become accepted truth and used the portraits to present himself as an all-knowing and only leader of the USSR. In sum, socialism has failed morally, politically, and economically.
How the Soviet Ideology Reflected in the Style of Architecture and Ornaments
A nation’s ideology may exist in material structure. Soviet ideology reflected in the style of architecture was characterized by abundant use of highly ornamental and luxurious massive concrete buildings. It is identifiable that Soviet architecture had lavish buildings featuring arches, porticos, and columns (Prof. B, 2021a, 00: 00: 41 – 00: 02: 20). The big, stark, and extravagant massive constructions were primarily guided by Soviet’s ideologies of forced collectivization.
References
Prof. B. (2021a).Metro assignment[Video]. YouTube.
Prof. B. (2021b).Propaganda assignment [Video]. YouTube.