In the Soviet Union in the 1980’s, after six decades of the command economy, 57 percent of the population had to live on less than $10 a month. --- This is complete and utter horseshit. Average Soviet wage in the 80s was about 150 dollars a month (one ruble to the dollar), with strict price controls. A loaf of bread cost 5 kopeks. Does the writer think Soviets were buying Ladas on an income of 10 dollars a month?
Poverty did not exist in the Soviet Union.