Stalin in particular is just such a departure from what Marx and even from what many of the “old bolsheviks” believed.
revolutionarydemocracy.org/rdv4n2/5convers.htm
pg 233 molotov remembers
Question: Do you believe that with the further progress of the Soviet Union towards Communism the possibilities of peaceful co-operation with the outside world will not decrease as far as the Soviet Union is concerned? Is “Communism in one country” possible?
Answer: I do not doubt that the possibilities of peaceful co-operation, far from decreasing, may even grow. “Communism in one country” is perfectly possible, especially in a country like the Soviet Union.
www.marxists.org/reference/archive/…/24.htm
Howard: Do you view as compatible the coincidental development of American democracy and the Soviet system?
Stalin: American democracy and the Soviet system may peacefully exist side by side and compete with each other. But one cannot evolve into the other. The Soviet system will not evolve into American democracy, or vice versa. We can peacefully exist side by side if we do not find fault with each other over every trifling matter.
