‘OUR’ STALIN



In late 2009, 21st of December to be precise, marked Stalin’s 130th birthday. According to the Russian national poll only 30% view him as a tyrant and 37% see his as a positive figure.

Cult of personality is a powerful term, the one and only real meaning of which is the worship of the One, Single person. Th key word here being-Worship.

Here are the facts-Joseph Stalin is a leader under whose rule millions of people were sent to labour camps, and, according to some estimates, in 1937,1938 alone around 700,000 were executed.


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But, who is Stalin to the young generation of Russians, still at school or college?
Dmitry, 15, when asked whether he sees Stalin as a negative figure in the Russian history, responds with: ‘He is more important than others, and more famous’. Fame, a much-favoured concept these days, it appears, makes for many allowances.

For most young people Stalin is a figure they don’t fully understand. Many films now made at a speed of light about the Soviet leaders, who, of course, can’t fight back, seem nothing more than a glamorised, cinematographic exercises with terrible writing and bad acting. They are merely exercises that make these leaders appear almost like mythical figures.
The Industrialisation, a major and, in many ways, unprecedented economic move, does now resonate well with the youth raised on the idea of a free global market economy.

There is one unshakable part of Stalin’s 'statue'. World War two is considered to be one of the main events of Russian tragic history, and is perceived as a source of great national pride. Left aside is the fact that the Allies also made a few shots at the enemy, but as far as Russians are concerned Stalin and the Soviet people won that war.
To this point the ‘foreign’ history books are a source of a lot of confusion.


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The 'greatness' of Russia, that, according to some, was only really manifested to the fullest during Stalin’s rule, is still missed by many. The idea that Russia always proves itself great in war and confrontation is still dangerously fresh and very possibly true. Can't build a car but will blow up a tank.

The current global mood appears to be that of trying to change the global atmosphere for the more peaceful one and the one of tolerance. Political correctness has gained a new meaning with the arrival of Obama in the White House. Can Russia fit into this new set up?
Is it possible that Russia is only truly functional or even content under the rule of the iron fist?
Perhaps, it is not as simple as that.
However, possibly Stalin’s strongest quality was to appear to be in charge and fully in control -standing with a strong, iron back oozing calm. In Russia to the Russian people, practically incapable of making their own decisions, this means everything.
The deeply rooted belief that those in power are always right by definition can only mean one thing, - no change in attitude of essence of those in power will occur. Communists, capitalists, words and labels make no difference. The relationship remains that of inferiority complex on the part of the people and egomania on the part of those in power. There can be NO CHANGE.
Germany accepted its mistakes and moved on. Russia never did and unlikely to do so in the future. And everything Stalin did will be written down as nesseseray measyres. The belief among many Russians seems to be this - It’s not the good-quality cars or world level products that make Russia great but the ‘Great’ leader.