“Stalin’s Legacy” debate stirs strong emotions

Over 100 people attended a public debate on “Stalin’s Legacy for Russia”, which was hosted by independent English-language weekly newspaper The Moscow News on November 16. Strong points of view, both criticizing and praising the Soviet-era dictator, were expressed by speakers and members of the audience, in a passionate, yet civilized discussion – which took place at RIA Novosti’s press center. While some participants argued that Russia would have been better off under the Tsars, others said that Stalin had betrayed the ideas of the 1917 revolution and through his purges was trying to destroy the ideas of democratic socialism. The main conclusion drawn by many in the audience was that the bloody lessons of Russian history teach us to fight for a better society.