We live in the best of of possible worlds, and it's constructed of necessary evils.

[osprey_archer]

I’ve finished Why Lenin? Why Stalin? Why Gorbachev?.

It’s probably the most pro-Stalin book I’ve ever read—which means that Theodore Von Laue, the author, points out Stalin’s achievements instead of lingering over his horrors. Yes, he was a genocidal maniac who killed hundreds of thousands of people for very bad reasons, but he did consolidate his country and amp up Russian industry enough that it could fight off the Germans during World War II.

It’s this last part that’s giving me pause. The USSR did the real work winning World War II. The Western front—in terms of everything but British and American ego—was essentially a sideshow.

So yes, Stalin did terrible things. But if he hadn’t, Russian industry could not have supplied to army to fight off Hitler, who would have been worse, and probably over a larger area.

It’s discomfiting to think of Stalinist terror as a necessary evil.

Comments

[longlegs21.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was shocking to learn that Stalin was the only world leader who said that Hitler was going to be Big Trouble and tried to get together some kind of multinational effort against him. One of the main reasons why Stalin hated the West was that they refused to back him in this. And he did have to defeat Hitler on his own, basically.

But Stalin's murderous talents weren't too shabby, either.

I feel like we're living in the worst of all possible worlds. Technology and communication and access to knowledge are the best they've ever been, and overall? Our world is getting worse, not better.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

The title is a quote from an essay by Oakeshott (who had it in quotes, as if he was quoting from something else, but I can't find the source). I used it as the title because there are days when I'm afraid it's true: the best of all possible worlds is this world, with the Red Terror and Darfur and the Holocaust, etc.

But as for the world getting worse: worse as compared to what? And on what criteria--political, social, economic, ecological? Compared to 1998, for instance, we probably have gotten worse; but we're definitely doing better than 1938, which was a pretty banner year for awful.

[longlegs21.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm referring to the past century or so, in reference to preceding history. But even in the present there are wars, human rights violations, food shortages, an impending (possibly) recession; natural disasters are more devastating than ever before; the environment is more ruined; depression is on the rise; cancer is on the rise, etc., etc. Overall, the world really isn't a better place than it was in 1938.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Fair enough.

I still think worst of all possible worlds is an overstatement, but that may be the result of early exposure to George Orwell and the scarring effects of 1984.

[longlegs21.livejournal.com]

Okay, that statement might have been a bit exaggerated. It certainly could get worse! I have yet to read 1984. I thought it might be too depressing. But would you recommend it? Oh, and have you read Evgeny Zamyatin's We?

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

In terms of quality and cultural significance, I would recommend 1984, but it's a VERY depressing book. It's one of the most depressing books I've ever read.

I haven't read We but it appears from its Wikipedia entry to bear a striking resemblance to 1984 (or I guess that would be the other way around, given their publication dates).

[longlegs21.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun! ;-)

One of my friends told me the general plot of 1984, and I agree with you about the strong similarities.

[team-fen.livejournal.com]

It’s discomfiting to think of Stalinist terror as a necessary evil.

I dislike the thought that any evil is ever actually necessary. It's too depressing an outlook for me.

(Hi! I was wondering, what do I call you? --Imo)

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Oh, gosh. I guess osprey archer's kind of bulky.

Jin, perhaps.

[team-fen.livejournal.com]

Jin. I like it. I have good associations with the name, because Jin is an awesome character in Samurai Champloo. --Imo