While that is true, the USSR produced a better military and more, higher quality consumer goods than most nations of it's size.
That said, it is certain that the soviet system was suboptimal in a great many ways.
But, crucially to the fact at hands, 1960s' USSR produced better rockets to send people to the ISS, at a lower cost, than 2021's USA, so there something beyond the free market in this particular case.
I'm sorry, what else are you suggesting? That we let the free market figure out by itself how to maintain the ISS without signing any government contract?
Also, Falcon 9 wasn't the product of a government contract.
That said, it is certain that the soviet system was suboptimal in a great many ways.
But, crucially to the fact at hands, 1960s' USSR produced better rockets to send people to the ISS, at a lower cost, than 2021's USA, so there something beyond the free market in this particular case.