Everyday Stalinism

[mikem3]

I'm usually just an observer here, but the use of the word 'socialist' in
the description of these materials is rather... interesting.  Soviet
propagandists used that word to deflect 'fellow travelers', 'progressive
comrades', 'useful idiots' (as V. I. Lenin called them), in non-Soviet
controlled countries etc. away from having to deal with that much harsher
word 'communism'.

The Stalinist Soviet Union was about as 'socialist' as it was 'communist'.
Great Leader Stalin used the facade and trappings to rule as an absolute
dictator, slaughtering millions of 'reactionaries' (many of whom were loyal,
innocent Soviets).  His successors were not as brutal, but the outrageous
cynicism of the Soviet power elite made it obvious that Marx, Engels, V. I.
Lenin, and the dialectic meant zip compared to their maintaining power over
their empire.  The so-called 'Mafia' of today is only the 'Nomenklatura' or
the past (and I know I misspelled that!).

The line in the description about Soviet citizens participation in
'socialist political movements' is especially good.

The collection, however, sounds fascinating to this material culturalist.

We now return to our normal discussion.

Mike Murley

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