How many Soviet republics were there?

What idea (which, according to you, existed before but doesn't exist now) are you talking about? Please explain.
In my opinion, whether it's the USSR (and we often judge it based on Soviet films) or today's Russia, the main idea is money, or its intangible expression – benefits, for which people, contrary to their views, join various organizations. Another favorite Russian concept, characteristic of the USSR, is "getting something for free." That's the idea. For a stable salary, people are ready to look faithfully towards the bright communist future, sometimes forgetting to look around and ask themselves where we are heading.

As a person who experienced the late years of the USSR and the post-Soviet era, I will say (in support of lopetos) that life was simpler and more peaceful for many in the USSR. Although, when compared to the present time, that life seems boring and monotonous, but any person knows how to adapt to the situation. And now, is it better? ... more freedom ... that's good!! But this freedom is in everything, and people are flawed, and they often use freedom not for good purposes, and once they feel impunity, it becomes the norm of life... and gradually, this freedom exists for some, but not for others. Such freedom is not needed by anyone!
Before, people were at least afraid of something... public opinion, some kind of order, but now everyone does what they want.
And there are two paths: either to grovel before those who use this freedom for their own purposes, or to become just as vile or despicable as they are...

P.S. So, people need some kind of framework, limitations. Complete freedom can only be given to yogis, gurus, monks, etc... and even then, only because they know how to limit themselves. At least we haven't reached a generation that can use freedom wisely yet. And we are definitely not heading in that direction, but... who knows where!:mad: