On Stalin's death day, quoting conclusions from our 2013 report on post-Soviet attitudes to the dictator (see earlier Tweet) carnegieeurope.eu/2013/03/01/sta… 1/
Post-Soviet citizens are confused. The poll results are more an illustration of feelings of dependency and confusion than genuine support for a dictatorial government. Russians in particular lack alternative historical models. 2/
Stalin is still identified strongly with victory in WWII. Memory of the defeat of Nazi Germany remains very strong in all four countries polled, especially among older citizens. Stalin is still admired as a wartime leader even as the same people reject his acts of repression. 3/
De-Stalinization in Russia has been half-hearted. There have been 2 1/2 attempts to engage the public in a debate on Stalin’s crimes, but only one, begun under Gorbachev, had success. Putin’s Kremlin has found the image of Stalin useful in his effort to solidify his authority. 4/
A new generation thinks differently. Many Russian urbanites are de-Sovietized, more self-sufficient, and more critical of Russian history. Stalin is losing his power to attract or repel this segment of society. 5/
De-Stalinization in Georgia has not run deep. The anti-Soviet and anti-Stalin campaigns launched under Saakashvili were conspicuous but superficial, and underlying opinions remain favorable. However, for Georgians, Stalin is much more a national icon than a political model. 6/
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