Socialism

5262 readers

43 users here now

Rules TBD.

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

dessalines@lemmy.ml

What is your opinion of Joseph Stalin? (lemm.ee)

submitted 2 weeks ago by AnonomousWolf@lemm.ee to c/socialism@lemmy.ml

164 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I believe in socialism, but I feel Stalin shouldn't be idolised due to things like the Gulag.

I would like more people to become socialist, but I feel not condemning Stalin doesn't help the cause.

I've tried to have a constructieve conversation about this, but I basically get angry comments calling me stupid for believing he did atrocious things.

That's not how you win someone over.

I struggle to believe the Gulag etc. Never happened, and if it happened I firmly believe Stalin should be condemned.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] AnarchoBolshevik@lemmygrad.ml 11 points 2 weeks ago

The inadequate conditions in many camps had more to do with wartime conditions and the consequences thereof than ruthlessness or sadism.

Unfortunately, Moscow, because of the stressful conditions of the 1930s and the fear of an anticommunist reinvasion, did indeed cause collateral damage in some of its attempts to suppress counterrevolutionaries. Such overreactions are the inevitable consequences of a revolution regardless of it agenda. Even so, the way that Moscow handled disagreements was complex.

There is more that I could add, but I don't see the point.