Why is Stalin Still so Popular in Russia?

[Capitalist Octopus]

Writing an essay for a history course on the following question..:

1) " In a 2008 poll conducted by the state-owned Rossiya (Russia) TV station, Stalin was voted the 3rd greatest Russian of all time by the audience. What might explain such reverence for Stalin in post-Soviet Russia?"


So, any answers to this question?
I particularly would like a response which explain his popularity materially, rather than along ideological lines, since I expect a lot of students will answer this question with idealistic sort of explanations.

Also, if you have any interesting sources on the matter, feel free to pass them along.

[Brutus]

Putin promotes Russian nationalism. Stalin made Russia great and powerful, ergo people like Stalin. Russia has always been a nationalistic country.

[Rurkel]

Well, I heard that the whole poll was a hacker-on-hacker struggle.

Anyway:

1) Neo-liberal reforms after the USSR dissolution were a catastrophe for the working population of Russia and even for some sectors of Intelligentsia. Living standards plummeted drastically.Since anti-Sovietism in general and anti-Stalinism in particular was a liberal mantra, Stalin symbolizes Soviet achievements and rejection of liberalism. Some people wish to see a Stalin-like figure repressing the "oligarchs" and the petty bureaucrats.

2) Nationalism. Some Stalin-love isn't different from your average nationalistic wankery, since Stalin is seen as glorious Russian leader who made Russia a great power and opposed the "We$t". Sources of Russian nationalism in general (which has both pro-Soviet and anti-Soviet variations) are your usual stuff in capitalistic states, accentuated by the fact that USSR official ideology incorporated elements of Russian nationalism.

3) Despite the raise of neo-nazis in Russia and few veterans being alive now, many people still proudly remember Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. Stalin, obviously, was the leader of USSR during the war.

4) Marxists-Leninists on these fora will probably give an answer that is more friendly to Stalin, suggesting that Russian citizens remember socialism being constructed in the USSR.

[Nevsky]

I think that his popularity in modern Russia hasn't that much to do with communism or leftist ideology. They respect him for his achievements as leader of "Russia", the rapid modernization, the victory over Nazi Germany, the overall prestige gained by the Soviet Union under his leadership and so on. I guess it's a nationalist sentiment mostly. Although nationalism is already too strong of a word. it's more about being grateful for having had that type of leader in that specific historical context.

Stalin (like other authoritarian leaders, too) has also become an icon for people who are disgusted with moden day corruption, mafia, drugs, prostitution and other problems which are associated with liberal society.

[Geiseric]

Why do Americans consider the Roosevelts as good people? It's the same thing. Stalin was fucked up towards minorities, gays, and political dissidents, so he's viewed as a "great russian." On top of SioC, which was the theoretical breeding ground for Soviet nationalism.

[Orange Juche]

Why do Americans consider the Roosevelts as good people? It's the same thing. Stalin was fucked up towards minorities, gays, and political dissidents, so he's viewed as a "great russian." On top of SioC, which was the theoretical breeding ground for Soviet nationalism.

Yeah, I was going to say, most American "icons" are pretty twisted as far as things like war crimes, or owning other individuals. Those kinds of things.

[rednordman]

I do actually wonder whether polls like that one are more of case of baiting the rest of eastern Europe who blame Russia for everything and expect them to bow to their every whim. Obviously, back in the days of USSR Russia did hold a lot of power over whole of eastern Europe, but a lot of Russians (especially older ones) probably genuinely think that it was for those nations own good. After all most would not have known much of the atrocities and ill treatment of the other Warsaw pact nations and probably see a lot of the rest of eastern Europe as very ungrateful. Especially with the rise of the far-right and banning of the communist insignia across that neck of the woods. So yeah, i'd say that the poll was more of a middle finger up against the rest of eastern Europe, rather than the glorifying of Stalin.

[Ocean Seal]

Because he is a nationalist figure to them who made Russia strong and Russia is overrun by nationalists? Isn't this pretty obvious.

[rednordman]

Because he is a nationalist figure to them who made Russia strong and Russia is overrun by nationalists? Isn't this pretty obvious.I totally agree, BUT there where actually some communists in the USSR you know. They weren't all barbarians. Some genuinely believed what they where doing was right. In the same way that the Americans are in the middle east i guess. Just no-one calls them barbarians do they?

[Jimmie Higgins]

In the same way that the Americans are in the middle east i guess. Just no-one calls them barbarians do they?
No, It would be an insult to warring tribal societies to compare them to u.s generals.
Zing!

[Yuppie Grinder]

Because he's an important part of their national identity and ideology. We still idolize Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson despite the things they did.

[Comrade #138672]

I think that his popularity in modern Russia hasn't that much to do with communism or leftist ideology. They respect him for his achievements as leader of "Russia", the rapid modernization, the victory over Nazi Germany, the overall prestige gained by the Soviet Union under his leadership and so on. I guess it's a nationalist sentiment mostly. Although nationalism is already too strong of a word. it's more about being grateful for having had that type of leader in that specific historical context.

Stalin (like other authoritarian leaders, too) has also become an icon for people who are disgusted with moden day corruption, mafia, drugs, prostitution and other problems which are associated with liberal society.I've been wondering this for a while. How did Stalinism specifically contribute to the modernization of Russia? Let's say the revolution had been crushed and Capitalism remained as it was before October 1917. What would Russia have looked like then?

It is because I believe this planned economy in a State Capitalist society / degenerated workers' State still had some superior qualities compared to 'normal' Capitalism. Yet, I hear many people, including Leftists, say that the bureaucratically controlled planned economy failed miserably.

[rednordman]

Let's say the revolution had been crushed and Capitalism remained as it was before October 1917. What would Russia have looked like then?Probably loads poorer. I think in many ways it was impossible for Russia to remain how it was before October 1917.

[RedMaterialist]

1. Saved Russian people from Hitler.
2. Carried Russia from semi-feudal to modern industrial state.

[Captain Ahab]

1. Saved Russian people from Hitler.
2. Carried Russia from semi-feudal to modern industrial state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Man_theory

[tuwix]

Writing an essay for a history course on the following question..:

1) " In a 2008 poll conducted by the state-owned Rossiya (Russia) TV station, Stalin was voted the 3rd greatest Russian of all time by the audience. What might explain such reverence for Stalin in post-Soviet Russia?"


So, any answers to this question?


1. He's won WWII.
2. He's made a good propaganda about himself.

[Bronco]

Worth remembering that number 2 in that poll was Pyotr Stolypin, Nicholas II's Prime Minister from 1906-11, who implemented widespread repressive measures against radical groups along with agrarian reforms where he tried to create a class of prosperous farmers who would leave the commune and acquire their own land, "a peasant bourgeoisie" Lenin called it

So yeah I wouldn't attribute too much significance to this poll, or ascribe Stalin's placing to nostalgia for Soviet era or anything like that

[Delenda Carthago]

Because fuck capitalism and fuck revisionism. Thats why.

Because Russia is the world's biggest unequal society. Thats why.

Because in 1930 the last unemployed person in USSR found a job and noone after that was left without one. Thats why.

Because fuck nazis. Thats why.

Because the only Constitution that was ever co-writen by the people until 2011(and that was in the bankrupt Island of 600.000 residents) was the 1936 of USSR. Thats why.

Because the life expectancy of russians fell and is still below of what it was in 1989. Thats why.

Because the worst kind of Central Planed Economy is better than the best market economy. Thats why.