Peter , please help re Stalin

["Chris, London" <100423.2040@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Peter,

I know you must be busy at this festive time, but in view
of your interest in Stalin I wonder if you can help.

I was thinking more about Barkley's piece noting there were no
great discrepancies between Stalin's Foundations of Leninism
(1924) and actual Lenin. Now two points occurred to me, one,
the process of codification of a master's thoughts produces a
qualitative change, like Lenin's encapsulation of Marx in a few
tiny essays, and the condensation of Mao to a Little Red Book.

The other I am seeking your help on. Inseparable from Stalin's time
was the institutionalisation of Marxism-Leninism in open
structured, organisation, not to say bureaucratic. For some
Stalinism is as much about the autocracy of the local dogmatic
and blinkered party branch secretary as about the autocracy of Djugashvili
himself.

Now as a thought experiment I was trying to look up the person who led
the great sect of Christianity that triumphed in the establishment of
bishops in the early church, and the Council that confirmed this. And
all I can remember is the Arians (they lost) and the Council of Nicea.

I have even run the risk of being converted over Christmas by enrolling
in the Compuserve religious forum to have a look, but it appears hopeless for
this sort of thing. I don't want to post an enquiry there.

Now you would not want me to be converted by the wrong
group I am sure, so could you possibly help?

Many thanks and seasons greetings.

Chris, London.




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