Given the words and actions of President Trump, it is enlightening to compare Nikita Khrushchev’s depiction of Joseph Stalin in his “secret speech,” of 1956 to the 20th Party Congress to Trump’s own mindset and behavior.
Khrushchev said:
“Stalin was a very distrustful man, morbidly suspicious … This sickly suspicion created in him a general distrust even toward eminent party workers whom he had known for years. Everywhere and in everything he saw ‘enemies,’ ‘two facers,’ and ‘spies.’ A situation was created where one could not express one’s own will. … Stalin originated the concept of ‘enemy of the people.’ This term rendered it unnecessary that errors of a man or men engaged in a controversy be proved. This term made possible the usage of the most cruel repression against anyone who in any way disagreed with Stalin. … This concept of ‘the enemy of the people’ eliminated the possibility of the making of one’s views known. … The formula ‘enemy of the people’ was introduced for the purpose of annihilating individuals [who were in opposition]."
Doesn’t this now sound familiar to us all?
The Stalinist mentality and methodology has been revived in Russia through the actions, words, and approval of its present day leader, Vladimir Putin, who has rehabilitated Stalin’s reputation and methodology.
Our own president and Putin himself, the man Trump so admires and respects, often exhibit this same Stalinist mentality that Khrushchev so accurately described.
Gene Fitzgerald, emeritus professor of Russian, University of Utah