The possibility of communism in the Soviet Union seemed tangible until the 1989 coup, as noted by Niall Ferguson. However, anyone observing the Soviet economy could see serious problems. The quality of consumer goods was poor and availability was consistently low. This was due to outdated factories plagued by issues like theft, excessive drinking, and worker absenteeism, indicating fundamental flaws within the system that even advanced technology couldn't rectify.

Despite the widespread dissatisfaction among citizens, this sense of despair did not spur significant political movements. Instead, it bred a culture of resignation and dark humor. The combination of an ineffective economy and the resulting demoralization illustrated how deeply entrenched the issues were, stifling any hope for substantial change and highlighting a grim outlook for the future of the Soviet Union.