Stalinism

Meaning of Stalinism

Stalinism is a political ideology that follows the principles of communism, especially Marxism. However, it is oriented toward the ideas of Joseph Stalin.

Although Marxism inspired Stalinism, these political ideas differ. Marxism seeks to empower the workers to create a new society where everyone is equal. On the contrary, Stalinism repressed the workers and limited their influence because he considered it necessary to slow their development so that they would not obstruct Stalin's goal: to achieve the nation's welfare.

Stalinism reigned in the Soviet Union from 1929 until Stalin died in 1953¹. Currently, his rule is seen as a totalitarian government. The following table briefly describes its most relevant characteristics:

^{Table 1 – Stalinism's relevant characteristics.}

Stalinism is also known for the government's control over the economy and its extensive use of propaganda, appealing to emotions and building a cult of personality around Stalin. It also made use of secret police to suppress opposition.

Who was Joseph Stalin?

Fig. 1 – Joseph Stalin.

Joseph Stalin was one of the dictators of the Soviet Union. He was born in 1878 and died in 1953¹. During Stalin's rule, the Soviet Union emerged from its economic crisis and backwardness as a peasant and workers' society to become a world power through its industrial, military, and strategic advances.

From a young age, Stalin was called to revolutionary politics and became involved in criminal activities. However, after Lenin died in 1924³, Stalin overcame those who would be his competitors. His most significant actions during his administration were redistributing agriculture and executing or forcibly disappearing his enemies, opponents, or competitors.

Ideology of Stalinism

Fig. 2 – Drawing Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao.

Marxism and Leninism were the basis of Stalin's political thought. He adapted its principles to his particular beliefs and declared that global socialism was his ultimate goal. Marxism-Leninism was the official name of the political ideology of the Soviet Union, which was also adopted by its satellite states.

This ideology states that to change a capitalist society, you would need to implement a socialist state that would gradually transform it into a perfect communist utopia. To achieve the socialist state, Stalin believed a violent revolution was necessary, as pacifist means would not accomplish the fall of socialism.

Stalin succeeded in rapidly industrialising Russia. He opened factories and more industries, developed more means of transport, boosted domestic production in the countryside, and forced workers to work more than they usually did. Through these radical policies, he turned Russia into a country that could compete economically with capitalist countries. However, some of these measures came at the cost of widespread famine.

To fight the opposition, Stalin rules through coercion and threat. He stayed in power for so long by abusing his position through fear and mass manipulation. His time as a leader is tainted by the death of millions in concentration camps, torture chambers, and police aggression. This table shows some fundamental characteristics of Stalinism⁵:

^{Table 2 – Fundamental characteristics of Stalinism.}

Stalinism and Communism

While most consider Stalinism a form of communism, there are some areas where Stalinism departs from Communism and Classical Marxism. Arguably the most significant of these is the Stalinist idea of socialism in one country.

Socialism in one country abandons the classical idea of the world socialist revolution to focus on building a national socialist system. It arose because the various European revolutions in favour of communism failed, so they decided to seek the strengthening of communist ideas from within the nation.

Those sympathetic to socialism in one country argue that these ideas are centred on opposing Leon Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution and the communist left's theory of global course.

Stalin put forward the idea in 1924⁵ that this ideology could be successful in Russia, which contradicted Lenin's version of socialism. Lenin focused on the political circumstances for establishing socialism in Russia as he believed the country did not have the right economic conditions for socialism following the devastation of the First World War.

For this reason, Lenin concerned himself with the finances of the country and their improvement to create a base to construct a socialist economy. While initially, Stalin agreed, he later changed his mind, expressing his thoughts in the following manner:

The unbalancing of political forces changed Stalin's thinking, which gave him the courage to confront Marxist ideas and express his opinion on establishing a socialist system.

History and Origin of Stalinism

Throughout the rule of Vladimir Lenin, Stalin established influence within the communist party. After Lenin's death, there was a struggle for power between him and Leon Trotsky. Ultimately, supporting key communist leaders gave Stalin the edge over Trotsky, who went into exile while Stalin took over the government.

Stalin's vision was to reinforce the revolutionary socialist model by bringing Russia out of its economic recession. He did so through industrialisation. Stalin added the element of surveillance and regulation to prevent political opponents from hindering the socialist state.

Between 1929 and 1941⁷, Stalin established five-year plans to change the Russian industry. He also attempted the collectivisation of agriculture, which ended in 1936⁸, when his mandate became a totalitarian regime. These policies, along with the approach of socialism in one country, developed into what is now known as Stalinism.

European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism.

The European Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Stalinism, also known as Black Ribbon Day, is celebrated on August 23rd, honouring the victims of Stalinism and Nazism. This day was chosen and created by the European Parliament between 2008 and 2009⁹.

The Parliament selected August 23rd because of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a pact of non-aggression between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, signed in 1939¹⁰, when the Second World War was beginning.