Comment by michaelmrose

I don't think the USSR is a great example. The region has been under the thumb of authoritarian dictators for a 1000 years and those who most strongly disagreed with this have for that millennium either left or died leaving behind a nation largely populated by the children of people willing to go along to get along under such a system. Cultures and circumstances leave a mark on a people not least by the process by which survivors are selected.

If anything the current situation stands to worsen that situation with smart young people who might contribute to a better future dying or fleeing.