Yes that is true about Soviet Union. (Disclaimer: I lived 20+ years in USSR and more than that in the West). And in theory you are right: democracy vs authorit

Yes that is true about Soviet Union. (Disclaimer: I lived 20+ years in USSR and more than that in the West). And in theory you are right: democracy vs authoritarianism should not be the same as socialism vs capitalism. Now, what I see as the problem, is to implement a socialism without creating authoritarianism. Apart from the fact that there are no working examples in history, I think it is extremely hard if not impossible at all. If you think of the steps you would do to achieve it? First, you would need to either expropriate/nationalize whatever belongs to the rich. That is how you reduce inequality, right? But creative and resourceful people would still recreate their wealth and you are back in square one with that. Ok, we can tax them heavily. That will probably work at some degree. You will take away their incentive and they will stop being productive or leave the country to prosper elsewhere. The economy will sink, and you will need to either admit your failure or turn to oppressive methods to keep your plan moving forward because there will be too many people who will disagree with you at this point. Surely, there probably are other scenarios, but if they are, where are they?