How many Soviet republics were there?

Orees, after your post, I was overcome with nostalgia; I didn't even notice the absence of point 6.

Alexey, have you ever wondered if "...spaceflight, nuclear power..." could have existed even without the USSR? This is more a product of a certain mindset and the result of the often brilliant Russian mind, but not the merit of the existing system.

And remember which countries were the first to start working on the atomic bomb (and, as a result, nuclear power emerged) – Nazi Germany, the USA, and a little later, the USSR. As you can see, two of them had a rigid totalitarian regime, and one had a rigid democracy. There are no monarchical or republican countries here. And what about spaceflight? The same countries (except for Germany, of course). My parents have a favorite toast: "Let's drink to our happy childhood." And indeed, it was a happy childhood. The state cared about its future – about children. Only the highest quality products were served in kindergartens and schools. And what was wrong with the children's pioneer organization? But what about now? Expired products in educational institutions, and the state simply doesn't care about children. And what have they done with pensioners now? Essentially, they've said: "Isn't it time for you to rest behind a low fence, since you can no longer work?" The USSR existed for as long as there have been people asking this question. Everyone has their own view of this country.