Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 22:29:58 -0500 (EST)
From: Gerald Levy <glevy-AT-pratt.edu>
Subject: M-I: StalinISM


Chris B wrote:

> [...] it is also wrong to attribute all serious problems of the Soviet
> Union to him [Stalin, JL] alone, and none of the achievements.

WHO on this list has attributed all serious problems of the former USSR to
Stalin? 

I don't recall ANYONE suggesting that. 

What I recall, rather, is that many have pointed to (not necessarily in
order of importance):

1) STALINISM -- this means something DIFFERENT than the policies and
actions of Stalin alone. While there are different perspectives on the
meaning of STALINISM, there is wide agreement that it means something MORE
THAN what Stalin as an individual did.

2) the isolation of the USSR -- this factor takes into account both the
failure to spread the world revolution and imperialist hostility.

3) the relative backwardness of the Soviet economy -- inherited from
Czarist Russia.

4) Related to 1), the status of nationalities within the USSR, i.e. the
inherited legacy of the Russification campaign of the 1930's.

5) Related to 1), the lack of workers' democracy.

Other issues such as military goods production, lack of consumer goods,
and low productivity in agriculture are related to all of the above.

Jerry



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