ABSTRACT
In the course of the struggle over issues and personalities, which began with Lenin's illness and partial incapacitation in 1922 and became acute even before his death in January 1924, the Party remained overtly united upon two fundamental objectives. Industrialization might be accepted as a means to extend the social base of the regime as well as a method for strengthening the toilers' fatherland against aggression. But the question immediately arose regarding the problem of supplying sufficient food for the industrial workers. Economic planning had long been part of the Marxist answer to the asserted disorganization of capitalism, and was also brought forth by Trotsky as a solution to the chaotic condition of Russian industry in the twenties. Viewing the record of Stalin's tactics during the period of storm and stress in the Party, one is likely to be struck with his intuitive flair for finding a workable political formula.
