Two components of Soviet ideology: socialism and Russian nationalism
Adjusting the revolutionary ideology to totalitarian goals
World revolution as a geopolitical instrument
Open and closed ideologies
Policy toward key social groups: workers and creative intelligentsia
The political system: the supreme leader as the major institution
An effective political machine
The economy: organic flaws and achievements
Public opinion: acceptance of the regime
The regime and the empire: a complex relationship
Reforms: alternatives in history
Reforming the system, destroying its fundamentals