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Stalin: From Theology to the Philosophy of Socialism in Power
This book not only explicates Stalin’s thoughts, but thinks with and especially through Stalin. It argues that Stalin often thought at the intersections between theology and Marxist political philosophy – especially regarding key issues of socialism in power. Careful and sustained attention to Stalin’s written texts is the primary approach used. The result is a series of arresting efforts to develop the Marxist tradition in unexpected ways.
Starting from a sympathetic attitude toward socialism in power, this book provides us with an extremely insightful interpretation of Stalin’s philosophy of socialism. It is not only a successful academic effort to re-articulate Stalin’s philosophy, but also a creative effort to understand socialism in power in the context of both the former Soviet Union and contemporary China.
------- Zhang Shuangli, Professor of Marxist philosophy, Fudan University
Boer's book, far from both "veneration" and "demonization" of Stalin, throws new light on the classic themes of Marxism and the Communist language, nation, state, and the stages of constructing post-capitalist society. It is an original book that also pays great attention to the People's Republic of China, arising from the reforms of Deng Xiaoping, and which is valuable to those who, beyond the twentieth century, want to understand the time and the world in which we live.
-------Domenico Losurdo, University of Urbino, Italy, author of The History and Critique of a Black Legend.
Starting from a sympathetic attitude toward socialism in power, this book provides us with an extremely insightful interpretation of Stalin’s philosophy of socialism. It is not only a successful academic effort to re-articulate Stalin’s philosophy, but also a creative effort to understand socialism in power in the context of both the former Soviet Union and contemporary China.
------- Zhang Shuangli, Professor of Marxist philosophy, Fudan University
Boer's book, far from both "veneration" and "demonization" of Stalin, throws new light on the classic themes of Marxism and the Communist language, nation, state, and the stages of constructing post-capitalist society. It is an original book that also pays great attention to the People's Republic of China, arising from the reforms of Deng Xiaoping, and which is valuable to those who, beyond the twentieth century, want to understand the time and the world in which we live.
-------Domenico Losurdo, University of Urbino, Italy, author of The History and Critique of a Black Legend.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2017
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About the author
Roland Boer
56 books47 followersRoland Theodore Boer is a Marxist philosopher based in China. His research concerns the many dimensions of the construction of socialism, especially in China but also elsewhere.
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May 27, 2019
Boer thinks "with and through" Stalin, avoiding both veneration and demonization - though he is sympathetic to Stalin qua thinker. An important thing to reiterate: this is a book dealing specifically with Stalin's theorizing and "philosophy of socialism in power" - not what actually happened. Boer states he has no interest in "rehabilitating Stalin", but rather trying to seriously understand his thinking whether he agrees with it or not, as one would with any other theorist (Boer seems more critical of Stalin vis-a-vis "the nation").
The "theology" part primarily comes into play with Boer noting Stalin (and Russia's) deep knowledge and cultural heritage of Christianity (Eastern Orthodoxy). He states that Stalin gave socialism a definitive delineation between it and communism, and observes Stalin recognized that communism wasn't coming anytime soon: thus the conclusion of the delay or "Parousia of communism" (though Boer states that the comparisons between Marxism and Christianity are 'tiring').
A very in-depth look at Stalin as a theorist, and much needed, despite what one might think of him, he contributed some interesting developments to Marxist theory and "socialism in power". Most of it piecemeal, but almost all of it dealing with new problems "those before October" couldn't have fathomed (Marx, Engels, etc.)
The "theology" part primarily comes into play with Boer noting Stalin (and Russia's) deep knowledge and cultural heritage of Christianity (Eastern Orthodoxy). He states that Stalin gave socialism a definitive delineation between it and communism, and observes Stalin recognized that communism wasn't coming anytime soon: thus the conclusion of the delay or "Parousia of communism" (though Boer states that the comparisons between Marxism and Christianity are 'tiring').
A very in-depth look at Stalin as a theorist, and much needed, despite what one might think of him, he contributed some interesting developments to Marxist theory and "socialism in power". Most of it piecemeal, but almost all of it dealing with new problems "those before October" couldn't have fathomed (Marx, Engels, etc.)
Displaying 1 of 1 review