Stalinism

Sta·lin·ism

S0698700 (stä′lə-nĭz′əm)n. The bureaucratic, authoritarian exercise of state power and mechanistic application of Marxist-Leninist principles associated with Stalin.

Sta′lin·ist adj. & n.Sta′lin·ize′ v.

Stalinism

(ˈstɑːlɪˌnɪzəm) n (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the theory and form of government associated with Stalin: a variant of Marxism-Leninism characterized by totalitarianism, rigid bureaucracy, and loyalty to the state ˈStalinist n, adj

Sta•lin•ism

(ˈstɑ ləˌnɪz əm)

n. the principles and practice of communism associated with Stalin, characterized by the extreme suppression of opposition, totalitarian rule, and an aggressive foreign policy. [1925–30] Sta′lin•ist, n., adj.

Stalinism

the communistic theories and practices developed by Joseph Stalin from Marxism and Leninism, especially his development of the cult of the individual with himself at its center, his advocacy of national revolution, and his extensive use of secret police and slave-labor camps to reduce opposition. — Stalinist, n., adj. — Stalinistic, adj.See also: Communism

Stalinism

The form of communist theory or practice associated with Joseph Stalin, typified by totalitarianism.

Thesaurus

Noun

Stalinism - a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)dictatorship, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, totalitarianism, tyranny, authoritarianism, Caesarism, despotism, absolutismautocracy, autarchy - a political system governed by a single individualpolice state - a country that maintains repressive control over the people by means of police (especially secret police)

Translations

сталинизм

Stalinism

the theory and form of government associated with the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (original name Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili; 1879--1953): a variant of Marxism-Leninism characterized by totalitarianism, rigid bureaucracy, and loyalty to the state

Stalinism

the economic and political policies and style of government and social and economic organization in the USSR (and in Eastern European socialist societies under the hegemony of the USSR) under the leadership of Joseph STALIN from the late 1920s until his death in 1953, and after. The term is a mainly pejorative one referring to many ‘unattractive’ features of these regimes such as:

central control of most spheres of life, including the economy and intellectual life;
bureaucratic controls using a ‘mass party’, itself centrally controlled;
an official ideology;
a CULT OF PERSONALITY around the leader of the party;
the use of state-directed ‘terror’ and political purges.

While initially set up as People's Democracies with multiparty representation, from 1948 most Eastern European socialist states quickly became dominated by Communist Parties whose leadership owed their position to Stalin. In most countries, that leadership continued in power until the late 1980s, adopting the forms of dictatorial party organization and highly centralized state direction of the economy and society which Stalin had equated with communism. These regimes continued after the death of Stalin, despite the denunciation of the crimes of Stalin by Khrushchev in 1956. The extent to which de-Stalinization in the Soviet Union occurred before Gorbachev assumed the leadership in 1985 is debated. On the one hand, state central planning and control of the economy (see COMMAND ECONOMY) continued with only minor modifications. On the other hand, the arbitrary brutality of political control was considerably modified, although political prison camps remained, psychiatric wards rather than camps were used to control dissidents, and civil liberties and freedoms were few. Only with the emergence of GLASNOST and PERESTROIKA was the legacy of Stalin finally challenged fully.

The term Stalinism is also used to describe those political parties and organizations in the West which adopt highly centralized organization with rigid controls over members and who have often adopted an uncritical defence of the Soviet Union. See also TOTALITARIANISM, STATE SOCIALIST SOCIETIES.

Stalinism

Related to Stalinism: socialism, Joseph Stalin, communism

noun

Synonyms for Stalinism

noun a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc

Synonyms

dictatorship
monocracy
one-man rule
shogunate
totalitarianism
tyranny
authoritarianism
Caesarism
despotism
absolutism

Related Words

autocracy
autarchy
police state