The Russian proclivity toward strongman leaders is well documented. However, a recent poll shows that this historical preference not only continues but has led many to long for one of the most blood-soaked and homicidal figures in history: Josef Stalin. A shocking 70 recent of polled Russians now view the man who killed millions as an “outstanding leader.”
Staln has been regaining popularity and this poll shows a historic high for the dictator. His popularity level was at 54 percent ion 2016. Only 19 percent hold a disfavorable view of a man who regularly murdered rivals, entered into a pact with Hitler, destroyed the Soviet military and economy, and shipped off millions to die in camps and relocation areas. Fifty one percent of people even respect Stalin as a person despite being a person who regularly flew into lethal drunken rages and once said “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.”
From the Katyn Massacre to the shooting of intellectuals to the massive prison camps, Stalin remains one of the most vile figures of history. What is astonishing is that his brutal reign cost millions of lives unnecessarily. Thus, he entered a secret pact with Hitler to conquer parts of Europe only to be betrayed by his fellow dictator. He gutted the Russian military of experienced officers shortly before the Germans invaded. His “five year plans” were moronic efforts that led to widespread starvation. He was in other words more only a maniac but a moron.
Vladimir Putin himself appears partially responsible as he fights to bring back Soviet images — as well as a Soviet appetite for expansion.
What is even more distressing is that earlier polls show that over half of polled young people were entirely unaware of Stalin’s alleged crimes.