The admiration of old Soviet buildings is interesting as the perception of them is very different from what the stereotypical American view of how people lived during the time. Many of the positive aspects such as job stability, equality, and cultural exchange in Moscow are talked about without ignoring the atrocities committed by Stalin. Rather than saying that democracy automatically leads to a better life, the difficulties that come with a highly competitive society are much more easily understood when the remnants of a completely different way of life surround you. Some of the problems Russia is portrayed as having on the international scene could be attributed to a quick transition to capitalism after the fall of communism. I think that being in a place with such an infamous reputation in America does a lot to show how most of the problems between the two nations stem from governments, not from people themselves.