You’re right, data is king. So what does the data say about the opinions people who lived through those times? Oh right, you’ve already dismissed that as “old people missing their childhoods”.
Of course, if they were saying the opposite, that communism was awful and capitalism was better, you would have no trouble taking them at their word.
I also know people that lived through my country’s fascist period and seemingly “things were better back then”…
These anecdotal evidences mean little, you’ll find someone with the opposing opinion or experience.
You’re right, data is king. So what does the data say about the opinions people who lived through those times? Oh right, you’ve already dismissed that as “old people missing their childhoods”.
Of course, if they were saying the opposite, that communism was awful and capitalism was better, you would have no trouble taking them at their word.