How many Soviet republics were there?

So, either we try to become the second most powerful player on the board, balancing the US, meaning we also create a powerful, captivating ideology and invent a "mission" for the country, or we will remain in the position of a marketplace where developed countries come to sell their products, and we merely work as promoters in branches of their stores.

The flag is in your hands. Your "Project" won't go any further than words on the forum.
However, people of your type need "captivating" ideologies, so if you want, I can come up with a couple for you. Maybe after the second collapse, people will stop reaching for such ideologies. No matter how many facts you and Alexei present to us now, the USSR was what it was, and your position can be understood. It's like a provincial person who lived and saw things. And will they show you much? Or is everything done openly? Your main argument is that you lived and didn't see such things. What about decrees, orders, archives, statistics? (Alexei, if I have time, I will bring you facts; I don't have much internet access myself right now). I see your angry face, dear Slonysh, so I will retreat in advance and won't argue anymore. Nor will I write.