Socialism

I think it's useful to look at the things USSR did right as well as things USSR tried to strive for as an inspiration. I agree that it's also important to discuss the failures of USSR, and what can be done better going forward.

Nobody is really arguing that we should just follow USSR model blindly. It was the first attempt at creating a socialist society, and it existed under duress from the capitalist world throughout its whole existence. USSR was invaded by western powers in 1918, then it was plunged into WW2 a couple of decades later, and then the Cold War right after. A lot of the problems stem directly from the fact that it was never allowed to develop peacefully.

That said, there were obvious problems with USSR leadership as well. The party became bureaucratic and detached from the people over time. I think that the problem of having good leadership that's being held to account by the people is worth focusing on going forward.