Discussion of Stalinism

[Caius]

I wasn't suggesting using only archives. It's a good starting point, but the key should be field research. What's left of those gulags is still there and it would speak volumes.

http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/ki...mps/camps.html

There are some good images about GULAG's. Don't mind what she wrote, its exaggerated like the rest of the page is.

[PershsNhpios]

Nuh - uh.. This is a discussion of Stalinism, not Josef Stalin.

So far we have; Why Stalin-Lovers Should Be Disliked; Who Was Worse, Stalin or Hitler; Who Killed More People, Stalin or Hitler; and now - Just How Many People Did That Crazy Russian Kill Anyway?

Stay tuned for; Have We Really Let Our Loved Ones Fade Away To Numbers?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

So you want us to analyze the political theory by which an autocrat further centralizes power in his hands and the hands of security apparatuses. Well, I think it sucks.

[Caius]

Nuh - uh.. This is a discussion of Stalinism, not Josef Stalin.

Those terms hold an important link that can't be separed, or else the thread would not have something to go on.

Like I said, Stalinism is a failure. Almost every dictatorship has been a failure, yet I do not see what is the 'good thing' in living under one. Would you enlighten me, AP?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I'm probably all of the above, but since you've stated the definition you want to debate, we can at least play ball.

I can only speculate that the number one reason someone would be a Stalinist (per your definition) is that they admire (or a few even hold nostolgia for) the Soviet Union as led by Stalin. It's not hard to understand at face value; the Soviet Union did the heaviest fighting and dying to defeat Nazi Germany, and followed up that struggle to become one of two superpowers. Add some scepticism about the west in general and United States in particular, and Stalin's regime "worked". Heck, you could say that if his predecessors didn't muck things up, the USSR would still be strong.

I think those conclusions are wrong, however. And even if Stalin's model for running a nation is considered "good", advocates should remember that there is a cost to forced industrialization and pervasive state security organs.

I don't think that necessarily leads to a conclusion about the psyche of someone who defends Stalin's actions, however. I imagine there are a number of reasons, including those who defend his actions under a form of Marxism/Leninism. Of course, that will anger the Marxists/Leninsts who don't support Stalin.

Is that closer to the topic you wish to discuss?

[PershsNhpios]

Very good, Alexander - that is much closer.

The problem I see is that everyone got rather stuck at; "the Soviet Union did the heaviest fighting and dying to defeat Nazi Germany", and the discussion has not progressed from there.

Anyway, I received an infraction for my now deleted post, so I will be removing myself from the backroom membership - if I can't read it, my blood will not boil.
That's right - that Backroom is not recommended for people with High Blood Pressure! (Not that I have it.)

Good luck in your never ending battle to make this forum see the one true opinion, everyone!