The Fall of the Evil Empire: How Socialism Failed The Soviet Union

In this podcast, Stephen argues that capitalism is superior to socialism, particularly in light of the Soviet Union's collapse. He criticizes the "tankie" perspective, which blames Western imperialism for socialism's failures, and contends that the Soviet Union was itself an imperial power with global ambitions for ideological dominance. Stephen argues that the United States' ability to outspend the Soviet Union on military endeavors while maintaining a higher standard of living demonstrates the economic superiority of capitalism. He suggests that blaming sabotage for socialism's failures is an admission of its economic shortcomings, as the U.S. could fund such efforts while still providing for its citizens, unlike the Soviet Union.