Ones and Tooze Heterodox Economists: Joseph Stalin
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Jan 2, 2026 In this insightful discussion, Cameron and Adam explore Stalin's role as both a pragmatic political economist and a theorist. They delve into his intellectual style and the transformation of Marxism into state developmentalism. The conversation highlights Stalin's policies, from socialism in one country to the violent realities of collectivization. They examine the economic implications of rapid industrialization driven by military needs, and ponder the paradox of Stalinism’s initial successes versus its later struggles.
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Stalin's Massive Personal Library
- Adam Tooze notes Stalin read voraciously and annotated thousands of books, owning a personal library of about 20,000 volumes.
- That habit made Stalin intellectually active even if not a theoretical economist like Lenin or Trotsky.
Stalin As Pragmatic Developer
- Stalin wasn't a theoretical Marxist like Lenin or Trotsky but he synthesized vast reading into a pragmatic, bureaucratic political intelligence.
- He turned Bolshevik ideology into a national developmentalism that reshaped the 20th century.
Socialism In One Country Explained
- 'Socialism in one country' rejected Trotsky's permanent revolution and emphasized consolidating the Soviet state first.
- Stalin pursued managed external ties, notably intensive trade with Weimar Germany, not full autarky.
