Socialism and Capitalism Through the Eyes of a Soviet Émigré - Hardcover

by Svetlana Kunin (Author)

Growing up in Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in the 1950-60s, a period defined by Soviet leaders as time of "developed socialism", Svetlana believed in the greatness of socialism: fairness, equality and the benevolence of the communist leaders managing society's march toward progress. Gradually, disillusion set in as historical and contemporary events exposed the true reality behind the veil of empty words. The decision to immigrate wasn't easy. Parents, relatives, and friends were left behind. Then, in 1980, came the unexpected discovery of a new life in capitalist USA. This unusually personal story that starts in the Soviet Union and ends in the United States draws parallels between two economic and political systems and provides a missing perspective and commentary on parallels to life in the USA. In this book Svetlana makes the case for how a free market economy in the USA leads to a dramatically better life for a common person, than that of powerful centralized government as she experienced living in both the USA and the former USSR. Many articles that the author published in the Investor's Business Daily under "IBD Exclusive Commentary Series: Perspectives of a Russian Immigrant" are poignantly relevant today. They are included in the book with IBD's permission.

Author Biography

Svetlana Kunin grew up in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in the 1950-60s, a period defined by Soviet leaders as a time of "developed socialism". Svetlana believed in the greatness of socialism: fairness, equality and the benevolence of so-called leaders and experts managing society's march toward progress. Gradually, disillusion set in as historical and contemporary events exposed the true reality behind the veil of empty words. In this memoir, she shares her experiences growing up in the communist USSR, as well the political, economic, and social differences she discovered upon immigrating to America. The book also includes a series of articles she wrote from 2009 to 2014 for Investor's Business Daily for its exclusive commentary series. The articles were titled "Perspectives of a Russian Immigrant" and remain relevant today.