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Even at the height of the Cold War I don’t think “become like the Soviet Union” was ever either a popular or elite aspiration anywhere in the world 🤔 “Become like America” was usually the popular aspiration to the extent elites let American culture be visible, uncensored
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If we assume 60s-70s were "peak" of the Cold War, I think we underestimate how many post-colonial/developing country elites sought to be like USSR. Emulation ranged frm copying 5-year plans (India/Egypt), governance (Cuba/China/ et al) to genocidal reset of history (Khmer Rouge).
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I remember waiting to get new copy of "Misha": among the few high quality/subsidized children's magazine available in India in mid 1980s. I used to write penpal letters to Misha! no doubt some dour KGB clerk in Delhi read my letter & said: dis boy is not even a useful idiot.😌
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