Saturday, March 15, 2014
Committee (Omni Shoreham)
The purpose of this article is to acquire an understanding as to why some Russian citizens look respectfully upon Josef Stalin today. Based upon the results of a nationwide survey carried out by the Levada Center and supplemented by seventy interviews, this article posits that a considerable number of Russians view Stalin with respect due to three reasons. First, Stalin remains a revered figure not because Russians remain ignorant of the most controversial features pertaining to his rule, but more so because they feel no shame towards the USSR. Second, feelings of respect for Stalin remain high on account of that some choose to rationalize Stalin’s policies by claiming that there was no other way for the USSR to industrialize than according to the course adhered to by the former General Secretary. Third, the pervasiveness of feelings of Soviet nostalgia serve to bolster Stalin’s image as a leader whose contributions led to the realization of great achievements, thus making him deserving of respect. Finally, this article asserts that Russians’ sense of respect for Stalin may flourish independently of how he is portrayed in the media today. Overall, the evidence presented in support of this assertion, coupled with the notion that many young Russians harbor no opinions vis-à-vis the Soviet leaders, lends credence to the argument advanced here that feelings of respect for Stalin are largely grounded within how Russians choose to remember him, as well as the manner in which they evaluate the present in comparison to the past.
