Analysis | Stalinism is not Socialism
Introduction
Defining Terms
What is Socialism?
Socialism is a broad category of ideologies that carry different meanings for different people. Broadly socialism is thought of as “A political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole." I looked at the theories of Marx and Engels, the work of G.A. Cohen and definitions given by Andrew Heywood and Bertrand Russell. Bringing all these ideas together it is then possible to establish the theories and principles that define socialist movements:
· The belief in the oppressive nature of the capitalist system,
· The belief that human beings are deserving of equality,
· The belief in working class cooperation and collective action,
· The belief in common ownership of industry,
· The belief in the erosion of class divides,
· The belief that everyone should be guaranteed social support,
· The belief that necessities should be provided for,
· The belief the establishment of democratic control of society,
· The belief that the ultimate goal of humanity is to maximise individual and group happiness.
What is Stalinism?
Stalinism can be defined as the political ideology and system of governance associated with the rule of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union from approximately 1928 to 1953. It is characterized by a combination of Stalin’s interpretation of Marxist principles, Leninist theory, and the specific policies and practices implemented during Stalin's regime.
Key elements of Stalinism include:
· Marxist-Leninist Theory: Stalinism is a development of Marxism and Leninism, adapting these ideologies to the era of imperialism and the proletarian revolution. It emphasizes the central role of theory in the proletarian movement and the need for a revolutionary theory to guide the revolutionary movement. However, despite these emphasises it ignores many of Marx’s principles.
· Dictatorship of the Proletariat: Stalinism upholds the concept of the dictatorship of the proletariat, which involves the unrestricted rule of the working class over the bourgeoisie. It is characterized by proletarian democracy, where the rights of the exploiting minority are restricted in favour of the exploited majority.
· Soviet Power: The Soviet Union, under Stalinism, rejects what it calls ‘bourgeoise democracy’ and suggests that the most democratic form of organisation is based around Soviets. In theory soviets are a collaboration between exploited workers and exploited peasants in their struggle against the exploiters. For Stalin, Soviet power allows the majority of the population to exercise their dictatorship.
· The Party: The Communist Party is considered the political leader of the working class, providing leadership and guidance across various organizations. It is seen as the instrument of the dictatorship of the proletariat and aims to maintain and achieve the proletarian dictatorship. The Party emphasizes unity and opposes factionalism.
· Collectivization and Industrialization: Stalinism pursued policies of collectivization of agriculture and rapid industrialization. Private property and free trade were abolished, and a planned economy based on mass industry was implemented. These policies aimed to transform the Soviet Union into a self-sustaining state, with a focus on heavy industry.
· State Coercion and Terror: Stalinism relied on state coercion, including purges, deportations, and terror, to eliminate perceived enemies and maintain control. It involved the liquidation of exploiting classes, such as the bourgeoisie, kulaks, aristocrats, and clergy, through measures of repression and mass suppression.
· Cult of Personality: Stalinism developed a cult of personality around Joseph Stalin, with his image and authority resembling that of a tsar-like figure. The Soviet Union became the dictatorship of the Communist Party, which, in turn, was the dictatorship of Stalin.
Similarities and differences
Now that we have defined both terms, we can determine the similarities and differences between the ideologies.
Similarities between Stalinism and Socialism:
· Opposition to capitalism: Both Stalinism and Socialism share a fundamental critique of capitalism as an oppressive system that leads to inequality and exploitation. They both seek to address these issues through alternative economic and social arrangements.
· Emphasis on collective action to achieve worker power: Both Stalinism and Socialism emphasize the importance of collective action and cooperation among the working class. They argue that the interests of the working class can be best achieved through collective efforts rather than individual pursuits.
· Critique of private ownership of the means of production: Both Stalinism and Socialism critique the concept of private ownership of the means of production, such as factories, land, and resources. They argue that private ownership leads to the exploitation of the working class and perpetuates inequality. Instead, both ideologies advocate for either communal or state ownership and control of these means of production, with the goal of ensuring that the benefits are shared collectively rather than being concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or capitalists. By advocating for collective ownership, both Stalinism and Socialism aim to create a more egalitarian economic system.
Differences between Stalinism and Socialism:
· Interpretation of Marxism: While Stalinism claims to be based on Marxist principles, it deviates from many aspects of classical Marxism. Stalin's interpretation of Marxism heavily emphasized the role of the state, centralized planning, and the need for a vanguard party to guide the revolution. Marx and Engels envisioned the state as a temporary apparatus that would wither away once the socialist society was established. In contrast, Stalinism saw the state as a necessary and permanent institution to guide and manage the socialist transition.
· Dictatorship of the proletariat: the understanding and implementation of democracy are a key point of difference. Stalinism's version democracy came from the dictatorship of the proletariat, which involved a highly centralized and authoritarian state led by a single party, with limited political freedoms and a concentration of power in the hands of Stalin and his inner circle. Socialism, on the other hand, envisions a more decentralized and inclusive form of democracy, with political participation and decision-making power distributed among the working class.
· Role of the party: While both ideologies recognize the importance of a political party representing the interests of the working class, there are differences in how the party functions. Stalinism places a strong emphasis on the role of the Communist Party as the sole political authority, with limited tolerance for internal dissent or factionalism. Socialism, on the other hand, allows for a more diverse political landscape, with multiple parties representing different aspects of the working class and fostering a more pluralistic democracy.
· State coercion and repression: Stalinism relied heavily on state coercion, purges, and mass terror to maintain control and eliminate perceived enemies. This included the suppression of political dissent, forced labour camps (Gulags), and widespread surveillance. Socialism aims to maximize individual and group happiness by addressing socio-economic inequalities and providing for the well-being of all members of society. However, the use of state coercion under Stalinism resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including political persecution, forced labour, and mass executions.
Conclusion
Why Stalinism is ultimately not a Socialist ideology
Stalinism deviates from the core principles of Socialism in several key ways. It concentrates power in the hands of a single leader (Stalin) and a small group of party elites, rather than promoting the empowerment and active participation of the working class. The highly centralized state, lack of political freedoms, and widespread state coercion and repression in Stalinism contradict the principles of social equality, collective decision-making, and individual and group happiness that are central to Socialism.
Furthermore, Stalinism's departure from Marxist principles, its suppression of alternative socialist tendencies (such as Trotskyism), and the establishment of a personality cult around Stalin himself demonstrate a deviation from the broader socialist ideals of worker empowerment, democratic control, and the erosion of class divisions. In essence, Stalinism represents a specific form of authoritarian rule that emerged in the Soviet Union under Stalin's leadership, which diverged significantly from the broader goals and principles of Socialism.
In a sense, Stalinism shares more similarities with fascism. Stalinism and
fascism exhibit authoritarian tendencies and concentration of power. They rely
on state coercion, suppression of political dissent, and the centralization of
authority. Additionally, both ideologies often emphasize nationalism and
exploit fear of external threats to consolidate control.
If we are to move towards a more socialist vision of society, we must do away with the current obsession with Stalinist theory, political structures, and imagery. Failing to do so ignores the failures of the past and ensures that future socialist systems will be prone to high costs of lives, failures in equality, and authoritarian rulers. Advocating for Stalinism not only eschews Marxist principles, but harms Socialist arguments.
Ben Sharp
Sources used:
(Marx/Engels, 1848)
(Russell, 1920)
(Stalin, 1924)
(Stalin, 1938)
(Heywood, 1998)
(Merriman, 2008)
(Cohen, 2012)
(Fitzpatrick, 2017)
(Sebag-Montifore, 2021)
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