The general format so far has been to present an anti-Stalin trope as true, then do a surgical, thorough take-down of that trope. The initial example, which I hope I don't spoil, is Khrushchev presenting to (I believe) the Communist party members behind closed doors. He presents a massive diatribe against Stalin and the "cult of personality" he claims surrounded Stalin and how it was completely unwarranted and Stalin was an ineffective military leader, political leader, etc. Then the author has been going essentially passage by passage refuting this "take-down" and highlighting Stalin's profound leadership.

Really opening up my eyes to Stalin as a leader and his views of the Communist project

[–] President_Obama@hexbear.net 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Would love to hear if he critiques him, too - like his role in mass deportations of ethnic minorities, political suppression, and the cult of personality.

[–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The mass deportations were distinctly un-Marxist. I would say it's the only valid criticism I've ever seen. Ironically, it's not what libs obsess about. They're always mad that he aggressively suppressed antisemitic right-wingers.

[–] GarbageShoot@hexbear.net 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The deportations weren't all the same and I think there was a better case for the deportation of Germans from Poland, etc. even if it was still in error.

By contrast, I think Stalin's virulent homophobia and staunch opposition to any appeals for tolerance along Marxist lines is one of the most clear-cut cases of him being personally flat-out wrong.

[–] Rod_Blagojevic@hexbear.net 3 points 1 year ago

That's fair, coming from a Marxist. I'm not interested in hearing it from a liberal that doesn't have any understanding of why all kinds of prejudices thrive under capitalism.