If I change the title of many Russian news channels to Der Stürmer, there would be very little difference between the rhetoric. Just swap German fanatical nationalism for a Russian flavor.
Unfortunately, even if it was the case, the only thing in common with the former USSR would be geographical IMO. I don't think it would even be close to socialism. Any thoughts on this? If there actually was a possibility of establishing a real socialist state in the former USSR, who do you think would lead the change?
I don't think there's a chance of actual socialism in the near term, but it is worth noting that USSR is regarded as a time when Russia was a superpower. Lots of people who lived during Soviet times are still alive and overwhelmingly speak positively of it. So, there isn't a comparable level of anti-communist propaganda that there is in the west. And, now that Russia is being pushed into China's orbit we'll necessarily see influence from Chinese system in Russia. A lot of people are looking at China and realizing that this could've been them if different decisions were made in the 90s.
On top of that, Russian economy is already organized in a similar fashion to Chinese economy. State owned enterprise accounts for around half the economy, and government tends to exercise direction over private enterprise as well. I'd argue this creates more favorable conditions for transition to socialism than what we see in the west.
So, I definitely think there is a very real possibility of Russia transitioning to becoming a socialist state that's modelled on China in the long run.
It’s for a variety of reasons, some good some bad.
Some look back with nostalgia for better times. Others view it in a nationalistic fascist way that the Soviet Union was stronger and “more pure”. Some view the Soviet Union as free from drug abuse, crime, LGBT people, and foreigners. Some want a return to a system that actively benefited the people. Some see the errors of capitalism. Some want Russia itself to be big again and occupy/annex the former Soviet territories for their resources. Some want military might that they associate with the Soviet Union.
I only accept if the name of the country is actually and officially "USSR 2". Not even "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 2". I want it in that exact form.
I don’t see how this is likely considering who runs Russia currently. Unless he’s been some amazing undercover agent/great actor this whole time I highly doubt Russia will turn left anytime soon. Can he be converted? Who knows but I’m not getting my hopes up (not a doomer, just that we still have work rather than sitting back and waiting).