What does Paz think of the Soviet Union? How does it compare to Mexico?

Paz used to think highly of the Soviet Union, saying that in less than fifty years, it had raised its position in the world. In fact, it had become the only nation close to rivaling the United States. The Soviets were able to utilize human labor to its full potential and build capital. Paz points out however, that the mechanism of socialism has turned out to be much more cruel than capitalism ever has been. Mexico has never had the advantages that the Soviet Union had; so its socialist dream was short-lived. Having supported socialism, Paz quotes Trotsky in saying that if the Marxist Revolution did not soon break out among the highly civilized nations, it would probably have to be greatly revised (Chapter Eight, page191). Thus Mexico, though temporarily aided by socialism, could never be a truly socialist state.