Don't know where my head was when I wrote that. Irina was not the main character. The main character is Kira Argounova. I believe Irina was her cousin, just a second-tier character.

As for Socialism, while FDR's programs were inarguably much-needed at the time, my objection to the homogeneous society that you describe is exactly what you mentioned - it denies ambition and success. There are leaders and there are followers - it's human nature. To deny leaders their place in society is a recipe for disaster, IMO.