Final answer:
The Soviet Union adapted Marxist theory by initiating a premature revolution and by implementing central planning for rapid industrialization, which led to a paradox between ideological goals and practical implementation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Soviet Union, under leaders like Lenin and Stalin, adapted Marxist theory in two main ways to suit the country's unique conditions. Firstly, instead of waiting for a workers' revolution to occur naturally in an industrialized society, as per original Marxism, the Bolsheviks initiated the revolution in a largely agrarian Russia. This revolution ultimately led to the creation of the Marxist-Leninist totalitarian state. Secondly, due to the lack of an industrial economy, the Soviet Union implemented central planning and the collectivization of agriculture to rapidly industrialize and bypass the capitalist stage that Marx deemed necessary.
These adaptations were marked by significant human costs, including purges and famines. Despite the ideals of Marxism-Leninism guaranteeing a classless society and worker prosperity, the Soviet reality was characterized by economic stagnation, disparities in living standards compared to Western countries, and a heavy emphasis on military power. This contradiction highlights the paradox between Marxist ideological goals and the practical implementation within the Soviet Union.