Nice analogy.

I was in Czechoslovakia shortly after communism. Life there was not as bad as the western media portrayed. People could travel to one part of the country to the other. People could have to different parts of the country — usually to find a job. Post secondary education was available to students with higher marks. People could get married to whoever they wanted — or have affairs with whoever they wanted.

Yes, communist members had some special privileges. But average citizens were not in a perpetual state of big brother. The rules were well explained as how to not offend the state.

All societies have to find a balance between freedom and civil order, creating that utopia called happiness.