> However, the USSR was not a free-market system, and there was very little incentive it seemed for citizens of the USSR to band together and solve problems. I

> However, the USSR was not a free-market system, and there was very little incentive it seemed for citizens of the USSR to band together and solve problems. I don't think the freedom of the market matters much when you're trying to survive: you will want to solve this particular problem as soon as possible. That said, I think the author underestimates the American people and their resourcefulness.