soviet union was never a 'workers paradise' -this phrase was always used cynically by the dictatorship or sarcastically by the conservatives/capitalists.
in what sense is today's china 'communist?'
lets say, eg, a 'worker's paradise' is a state where we all have reasonably paid employment,a chance to make more without exploiting others, a fair tax system and a state prepared to ensure good education, health and social security. at least in theory, most sensible governments would aspire to this goal if they are working for the benefit of their citizens.
Here we have a low wage, high rent economy. there is rising unemployment, food and energy prices, homelessness, use of food banks etc. people hold on to poorly paid, unrewarding jobs for fear of worse. a large part of our young people have very few prospects -my own with 3 and a half degrees between them can't afford a driving lesson, never mind a deposit for a house -with only bar and retail jobs to be had.
yet this is the 5th richest economy in the world - with the lack of workers rights and general apathy of the people -this is the perfect condition for a capitalists' paradise.
in general terms the labels we put on systems or countries don't really mean much anymore (eg what does 'liberal' mean now-here and in he usa?) it's just free-market global capitalism backed by (awe inspiring) military might against the world. the old labour/tory -democrat/republican games do not mean anything much either - nor do the democratic wishes of the people.