> Stalinism was economic totalitarianism with a goal and an exit strategy

While I am a socialist politically, I very much disagree with this. Stalinism was economic totalitarianism for the sake of Stalin. The claims of a brighter communist future were all obvious propaganda lies. Socialism died in Russia almost as soon as Lenin assumed power and dissolved the factory councils (soviets) - after that, "socialism" and "communism" were only propaganda terms for the next 50 years, just like they claimed they were "democratic" and a "people's republic".

It really is delusional to think that one of the greatest murderers in history, one with a huge personality cult, had been in essence working for the good of his people...