How many Soviet republics were there?

Sage;85019And also, Sage, your comparison of communism and democracy is not entirely accurate. It's like comparing an orange and a rhinoceros. Which one is better? Democracy is a type of political regime (democratic, authoritarian, totalitarian), while communism is a socio-economic formation (primitive communal, slave-owning, feudal system, capitalism, communism). So, if communism is to be compared to anything in this case, it should be compared to capitalism.

Thank you for correcting me. I was actually referring to a comparison between democracy and a totalitarian regime.

Added after 37 minutes

Rulers, rulers... Sage, perhaps a slightly rhetorical question: what have you... no, what have we, all those present on the forum, done for the prosperity of our country?

I work as an engineer at a state-owned enterprise. I pay taxes accordingly. The enterprise where I work could provide much more benefit if the state allocated funds for research.
And another example from life: a person invented a very efficient engine, and came to the deputy minister with it (whom he knew before). And what did he hear from him? "This is good, of course, but you see, we are here busy filling our own pockets, because we are only here for 4 years, so don't expect any support from us." And this person made an invention for his country, worked for its benefit. And this is far from an isolated case.
By the way, high-ranking politicians love to ask your rhetorical question, why do you think that is? Well, as they say now, they are shifting the blame. As if you are to blame for everything that is wrong in the country.