Stalinism

Studies in European History

by Graeme J. Gill

Stalinism and its origins became a hot political issue in the last days of the Soviet Union and remains a question of abiding importance and concern for those interested in Russian affairs. The aim of this book is to survey the literature dealing with Stalinism, provide a rounded analysis of what Stalinism means, and suggest a line of investigation to be pursued if we are to understand the origins of the system. An update of the first edition in light of the opening of the Soviet archives and recent scholarship, this book surveys arguments about the origins of the Stalinist phenomenon. It discusses the way in which the different faces of Stalinism (economic, social, cultural and political) changed over time, and shows how the fall of the USSR was connected to the nature of Stalinism.

Genres: Politics, History

97 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 1990

Reviews

[Theo Meros · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent attempt at an even-handed overview of Stalin’s legacy, but far too narrowly-focused on Stalin to offer a nuanced understanding. We hear nothing of international trade or sanctions/pressures imposed by the western countries on behalf of capital. We’re presented with the USSR as a totally isolated entity. Still, given a sufficient amount of prior knowledge, the book challenges many simplistic readings of Stalin’s legacy.

[Simon Klassenkampf · Rating 4 out of 5]

27 years old now, but useful little intro with excellent bibliography.