The great philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) was often written off as an eccentric especially in the early 50s when he was asked his view on the USSR at the height of Stalinism.

His unexpected simple response was that the USSR would eventually become like the West and visa versa.

It's happening rapidly, in a thoroughly modern way..even under the despot Putin, Russia is careering towards a market economy and the West...the US under a would-be despot Donald Trump who is laying the groundwork for Fascism in a 1000 ways, and the UK where the show trials of "sexual harassment" are little different to the Stalinist show trials of dissidents.

Anonymous accusers, as under Stalin, can now destroy on accusation alone as in Kevin Spacey except, even under Stalin some sort of rial would take place. Now we don't even need a trial. The media does that role in perfect Pravda style.

I don't know about "never" wrong Hedda but an interesting and valid point; a reread of both 1984 and Brave New World is due.