Hoover InstitutionStanford University
Stalin’s Crimes and Russia’s Future

Published: August 10, 2021

To legitimize his authoritarian agenda, Vladimir Putin is attempting to improve Josef Stalin’s image. However, history cannot be rewritten, nor can it forget the millions who perished in waves of Stalin’s political repression. Stalin’s crimes against humanity demonstrate an inherent danger that comes with totalitarian leaders who have no regard for the rule of law or individual rights.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is Vladimir Putin trying to rehabilitate Josef Stalin’s image?
  2. Can Vladimir Putin succeed in improving Stalin’s image?

 Additional Resources

  • Read “Russia’s Re-Stalinization,” by Paul R. Gregory. Available here.
  • Read “A Green Light for Russian Hegemony,” by Paul R. Gregory. Available here.
  • Read “Women of the Gulag: Portraits of Five Remarkable Lives,” by Paul R. Gregory. Available here.

Cast

Paul R. Gregory

Paul R. Gregory

Related

Videos

Monetary Policy And The Shadow Open Market Committee Since The 1970s

Mickey Levy on his early career working with Alice Rivlin at the Congressional Budget Office and with Arthur Burns at AEI, as well as being part of the Shadow Open Markets Committee from its early days in the 1970s.

October 16, 2026

Videos

The Enduring Influence Of Thomas Sowell

From politics and economics to journalism and culture, leading voices reflect on how Thomas Sowell’s ideas shaped their thinking and continue to inspire new generations.

October 15, 2026

Articles

Why Europe Is Burning

[Subscription Required] Young Europeans are taking to the streets in Paris, Madrid, and Brussels. They say they want more investment in schools and housing. They should be protesting a system rigged for their grandparents.

October 12, 2026