How far did Stalin, to 1939, continue the policies of Lenin? Essay Example

suffrage was nonexistent. Though both regimes were authoritarian, the liberal and humanist element in Lenin's vision was discarded.Difference in the economic policies was even more pronounced.

The new economic policies were promptly abolished after Stalin took power. Ruthless purges of the kulaks ensured the purity of economic communism. The orientation of policy making was altered, from Lenin's aim of restoring economic stability to Stalin's aim to make agriculture conform to the political structure regardless of the inefficiency of the collectivization movement. More stringent regiment was imposed on urban workers, and real wages and life standard both diminished. State capitalism was inherited, but freedom of enterprise was thoroughly prohibited.

Development in infrastructure and heavy industry was vigorously propelled in the two five-year plans, and constituted much more importance in the nation's economic goal. The rationale for this was largely due to Stalin's different estimation of international circumstance and of Russia's stance in it.Lenin's policy of active participation in the alleged development of a world communist revolution was terminated. Stalin's disbelief of the emergence of similar political climate outside Russia significantly changed Russia's foreign policy toward Europe, especially towards Germany. Stalin saw the huge human cost in the ruthless scheme of industrialization as an answer to the threat that Nazi and Fascist aggression had posed. Having discarded Lenin's ideal of 'universal Socialism', Stalin looked forward to 'Socialism in one country'.

This changed the aim of his foreign policies to securing the preservation of Socialist achievement in Russia, by assuming peace with European powers to 1939. He achieved this through The Treaty of Rapallo in 1922 and joining the League of Nations in 1935. It could be seen

that, the alliances Stalin made with Europe was more of a defensive nature than a, as Lenin and Trotsky had in mind, collaborative one. This skepticism, which was proved to be correct, went beyond Lenin's scope.Stalin's proclamation as the heir of Lenin was no more than propaganda used to legitimize his position at the beginning of his reign. In fact, Stalin's policies were all made from a realpolitician's perspective that was completely contrary to Lenin's.

He employed Socialist ideology as an instrument to implement his unchallengeable rule instead of an ideal to strive for. The na�vet� and incompleteness of Lenin's theory also left room for his revision and rewriting of history. Stalin continued only the part of Lenin's policies that were not incompatible with his own ambition, and only highlighted this point to offer a justification for his own policies. His allegiance lied ultimately to himself.

Stalin was not, at any point, a true successor of Lenin.