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Stephen Kotkin: Stalin's Rise to Power | AI Podcast Clips
7 segments available
Full episode with Stephen Kotkin (Jan 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCkkjnpS2f8 Clips channel (Lex Clips): https://www.youtube.com/lexclips Main channel (Lex Fridman): https://www.youtube.com/lexfridman (more links below) Podcast full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOdP_8GztsuKi9nrraNbKKp4 Podcasts clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41 Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/ai Podcast on Apple Podcasts (iTunes): https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Podcast on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 Podcast RSS: https://lexfridman.com/category/ai/feed/ Stephen Kotkin is a professor of history at Princeton university and one of the great historians of our time, specializing in Russian and Soviet history. He has written many books on Stalin and the Soviet Union including the first 2 of a 3 volume work on Stalin, and he is currently working on volume 3. Subscribe to this YouTube channel or connect on: - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
Segments Timeline
Stalin's Unlikely Ascent
Stephen Kotkin discusses how Joseph Stalin rose to power in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. He emphasizes that Stalin's ascent was not solely due to his individual ambition but was significantly influenced by the circumstances of World War I and the collapse of the Czarist regime. Kotkin highlights the radicalization of peasants and the failure of the provisional government, setting the stage for Lenin's Bolshevik coup in October 1917.
"first of all you've described a fascinating thought which is Stalin as having amassed arguably more power than any man in history she's an interesting thing to think about but can you tell about his j..."
The October Coup Explained
In this segment, Kotkin elaborates on the October Revolution, framing it as a coup by Lenin and the Bolsheviks against other socialist factions rather than the provisional government. He explains how the Bolsheviks capitalized on the popular support for the Soviets, which represented grassroots democracy, and how this coup allowed Stalin to rise alongside Lenin during a critical moment in Russian history.
"most improbable thing happens which is a very small group of people around the the figure of Lady melanin announces that had in a seized power now by this time in October 1917 the government that has ..."
Stalin's Strategic Position
Kotkin details the creation of the General Secretary position for Stalin by Lenin, designed to manage the day-to-day operations of the Communist Party. He discusses how this role became pivotal for Stalin's consolidation of power, especially after Lenin's health declined. This segment highlights the institutionalization of Stalin's authority within the Bolshevik regime and the implications of Lenin's incapacitation.
"the leftists who seized power in the name of the Soviets in the name of the masses in the name of people's power they retain their hold many times in history there's a seizure of power by the left and..."
Contingency in History
Stephen Kotkin reflects on the role of contingency in historical events, using Stalin's rise to power as a case study. He argues that while certain factors may seem inevitable in hindsight, they were contingent on specific circumstances, such as Lenin's health issues. This segment invites viewers to consider how historical narratives can be shaped by unforeseen events and personal choices.
"over affairs Stalin then uses this new position to create a personal dictatorship inside the Bolshevik dictatorship which is the remarkable story I tried to tell so is there anything nefarious about a..."
Stalin: The Effective Organizer
In this segment, Kotkin discusses Stalin's effectiveness as an organizer and leader within the Communist Party. He contrasts Stalin's organizational skills with the brilliance of other contemporaries, emphasizing that Stalin's ability to execute tasks and manage the party's operations was crucial to his rise. This segment underscores the importance of competence in maintaining power amidst political turmoil.
"might never have become the Stalin that we know that's not to say that all history is accidental just that we need to relate the structural the larger structural factors to the contingent factors why ..."
Ideology and Power
Kotkin explores the interplay between Stalin's ideological beliefs and his thirst for power. He argues that Stalin was a true believer in communism, which helped him gain followers. However, he also resorted to manipulation and violence to achieve his goals. This segment examines how Stalin justified his actions through his commitment to communist ideals while simultaneously building a personal dictatorship.
"other my point is that when people come to power for contingent reasons they don't stay in power unless they're able to manage it and Stalin was able to build a personal dictatorship inside that dicta..."
Communism's Appeal in Crisis
In this concluding segment, Kotkin discusses the broader appeal of communism during the interwar period, particularly in the context of the Great Depression and the rise of fascism. He explains how Stalin's regime was seen as a potential alternative to the failures of capitalism at the time. This segment provides insight into the historical context that shaped public perception of communism and its leaders.
"through those goals and his abilities to enact them and so it's very important to understand that however thirsty he was for power and he was very thirsty for power that he was also driven by ideals n..."