the economy was designed to service the politburo elites, the army, and (maybe) the capital cities. It kinda worked for its intended purposes, a semi-artisanal

the economy was designed to service the politburo elites, the army, and (maybe) the capital cities. It kinda worked for its intended purposes, a semi-artisanal system, squashed by bureaucracy and political hires dictacted by realpolitik.