[PEN-L:32411] Re: Stallin Stalin

[Bill Lear <rael@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Wednesday, November 20, 2002 at 16:17:51 (-0800) Devine, James writes:
>...
>1) while it makes sense for Stalin to make a deal with Hitler from a
>nationalist perspective given the circumstances, does it make sense on the
>basis of socialist principles? probably not, which suggests that socialist
>principles had long before been subordinated to those of Russian
>nationalism, just as the Comintern became subordinated to Russia's foreign
>policy needs.
>
>2) while Stalin's stallin may make sense in terms of nationalist military
>strategy, we should look at other elements of his strategy at about the same
>time. did invading Finland make sense? maybe. But did purging the military?
>no. There was an element of irrationality in Stalin's policy, even from a
>nationalist perspective.

"Nationalist" meaning that which benefits a small elite that fancies
itself "the nation".


Bill