@mafketis
Russian elites restricted knowledge and amount of universities and information, newspapers and so was little to speak of except government run possibilities.
After 1917, not only did Russia itself "cleanse" herself of the brutal elites and leadership with a brutal and horrible swap, but also lost a lot of knowledge, traditions and way of life and how to rule.
For those who remembered it, and saw it before their own eyes it was quite different then told from stories, and it got bleaker with every generation.
The over 500 years of experience in all sorts of manners of life, governance, style, military etc. lost within the glimpse of a short decade. Similar to France too, the divide between the people and the elite became so large it couldn't transfer anything from the past onwards.
Compared to let's say U.S.A and Germany where shift of power wasn't as brutal, with it's aristocracy is intact but changed and diminished influence and power. Council, brains and experience +wealth shared and influences to this day, yet at shamefully low level compared to former glory. Which is why they prefer to stay in the shade and can only dream of ever seeing the spotlight again in any serious manner by the public except for the glimpse of gossip magazines.
To the distaste of most people,
Even after a massive attempt at educating the Soviet population, there certain vital elements missing. To the detriment of Russia as a whole, without that spark the engine won't turn on, the cogs won't move, the pipes will be dry and kilometers not reached, while Russian will ask questions: "Why is it like this? What is going on?"
It's in front of you, infront of your very nose. But, you cannot see it. Cannot grasp it, cannot smell it, cannot hear it. Cause you don't want to
