Stalinism

Stalinism is a brand of political theory, and the political and economic system implemented by Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union.

Stalinism as political theory

"Stalinism", strictly speaking, refers to a style of government, rather than an ideology per se. However, Stalinism can also refer to a set of interpretations of the works of Marx and Lenin that emerged in the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule (also termed Marxism-Leninism).

Related Topics:
Marx - Lenin - Soviet Union - Stalin - Marxism-Leninism

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The term "Stalinism" is sometimes used to denote a brand of communist theory, dominating the Soviet Union and the countries who were the Soviet sphere of influence, during and after the leadership of Joseph Stalin. The term used in the Soviet Union, and by most who uphold its legacy, however, is "Marxism-Leninism", reflecting that Stalin himself was not a theoretician, but a communicator who wrote several books in language easily understood, and, in contrast to Marx and Lenin, made few new theoretical contributions. Rather, Stalinism is more in the order of an interpretation of their ideas, and a certain political system claiming to apply those ideas in ways fitting the changing needs of society, as with the transition from "socialism at a snail's pace" in the mid-twenties to the forced industrialization of the Five-Year Plans. Sometimes, although rarely, the compound terms Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism (used by the Brazilian MR-8), or teachings of Marx/Engels/Lenin/Stalin, are used to show the alleged heritage and succession. Simultaneously, however, many people professing Marxism or Leninism view Stalinism as a perversion of their ideas; Trotskyists, in particular, are virulently anti-Stalinist, considering Stalinism a counter-revolutionary policy using Marxism as an excuse.

Related Topics:
Communist - Soviet Union - Marxism-Leninism - Marx - Lenin - Five-Year Plan - Marxism - Leninism - Brazil - MR-8 - Engels - Stalin - Trotskyists

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From 1917 to 1924, Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin often appeared united, but, in fact, their ideological differences never disappeared.

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In his dispute with Trotsky, Stalin de-emphasized the role of workers in advanced capitalist countries (for example, he postulated theses considering the U.S. working class as bourgeoisified labor aristocracy). Also, Stalin polemicized against Trotsky on the role of peasants, as in China, where Trotsky wanted urban insurrection and not peasant-based guerrilla warfare.

Related Topics:
Labor aristocracy - Trotsky - China - Guerrilla warfare

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The main contributions of Stalin to communist theory were:

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• Socialism in One Country,
• The theory of aggravation of the class struggle along with the development of socialism, a theoretical base supporting the repression of political opponents as necessary.

Stalinism has been described as being synonymous with totalitarianism, or a tyrannical regime. The term has been used to describe regimes that fight political dissent through violence, imprisonment, and killings.

Related Topics:
Totalitarianism - Tyrannical regime

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