The Cult of Stalin

In the light of my friend's words, the immoderate and often vulgar idolisation of Stalin begins to become intelligible. From a position of indescribable degradation, the Soviet people have arisen, through intense suffering and hardship, to a decent standard of living, and have brought about a flowering of culture, art, and science as has never before been achieved in such a short period. There is nothing artificial in their gratitude for this new life; it has grown up spontaneously with the growth of the Soviet state. Side by side with pictures and busts of Stalin, can be seen representations of Marx and Engels, who laid down the socialist theory which guides the new State, and Lenin, whose genius was largely instrumental in bringing the new society into being. There is not the slightest evidence that the homage of the Russian people is directed towards the actual persons of these individuals, or that they ascribe divine qualities to them. No, they are symbols of socialism, and very great men; in the same way, Mr Churchill is a symbol of the British spirit, and a great man. In the words of Lion Feuchtwanger:

'When the people say "Stalin," they have in the back of their minds increasing prosperity and increasing culture. When the people say "we love Stalin," it is because this is the simplest and most natural form of expression they can give to their willing acceptance of their economic circumstances, of Socialism, and of the regime.'

And there is good reason for their identification of Stalin with the socialist regime. Stalin's achievements are not negligible. The Soviet State, as Hitler is now finding to his cost, isn't a thing to be sniffed at.