- 31 Dec 2006 19:36
#1085106
Stalinism, whether you consider it to be a form of Communism or not, has much more in common with Fascism than Marxism.
The Stalinist Soviet Union, (c. 1920s to 1940s) shared the four major pillars of fascism: Authoritarianism, nationalism, militarism, and preserved class hierarchy.
Stalin, clearly was a social authoritarian, this isn't even debatable IMO.
Nationalism in the Soviet Union, while not standing out in history as that of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy, was still rampant. There was extensive propaganda encouraging praise of Mother Russia, calling on the Soviets to Protect their Motherland, in the Great Patriotic War...
...which leads to Militarism. The Red Army was huge, and military and Political Commissars were supreme.
Finally, and the most important distinction IMO between fascist Stalinism and Marxist Communism... was the preserved class hierarchy. Most branches of Fascism include an extreme fixed heierarchy, whether the elite class was the Leader, the Military, the Capitalists, or just the State... the USSR under Stalin definitely had this. The "Communist" Party of the Soviet Union was an elite class of its own... while the rest of the people were left in dire conditions... something that the Revolution sought to put an end to.
So, what are your thoughts on this. Was Stalin a fascist?
On a lighter side note, despite my passionate opposition to authoritarianism, and my belief in the USSR's comparison to fascism... I cannot help but find in Soviet culture... some strange intrigue.
The Stalinist Soviet Union, (c. 1920s to 1940s) shared the four major pillars of fascism: Authoritarianism, nationalism, militarism, and preserved class hierarchy.
Stalin, clearly was a social authoritarian, this isn't even debatable IMO.
Nationalism in the Soviet Union, while not standing out in history as that of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy, was still rampant. There was extensive propaganda encouraging praise of Mother Russia, calling on the Soviets to Protect their Motherland, in the Great Patriotic War...
...which leads to Militarism. The Red Army was huge, and military and Political Commissars were supreme.
Finally, and the most important distinction IMO between fascist Stalinism and Marxist Communism... was the preserved class hierarchy. Most branches of Fascism include an extreme fixed heierarchy, whether the elite class was the Leader, the Military, the Capitalists, or just the State... the USSR under Stalin definitely had this. The "Communist" Party of the Soviet Union was an elite class of its own... while the rest of the people were left in dire conditions... something that the Revolution sought to put an end to.
So, what are your thoughts on this. Was Stalin a fascist?
On a lighter side note, despite my passionate opposition to authoritarianism, and my belief in the USSR's comparison to fascism... I cannot help but find in Soviet culture... some strange intrigue.
PERSIA RISING-
Political Compass
economic -9.88, social -8ish. eternal gratitude to Abood for this sig
Political Compass
economic -9.88, social -8ish. eternal gratitude to Abood for this sig