May 29, 2026
Nostalgia for Communism

In formerly communist Europe, one notices among older people a certain nostalgia for communism, under which everyone was extremely poor (except, of course, the party elites), but everything was guaranteed. Certainly, when there is progress and development there is also greater tension; there are winners and losers (as Giovanni Verga said). However, if mankind had been satisfied with what it already had instead of striving for progress, we would still be living in the Stone Age.

In any case, I acknowledge that security, even in poverty, can be something appealing. Yet one never saw people trying to flee into communist countries: this is the fundamental point that must be taken into consideration. Then again, there may also be those who prefer security in poverty.