ABSTRACT
The relationship between Lenin and Stalin has always been a matter of controversy. Some historians have seen a continuous path from Lenin's regime to Stalin's dictatorship. From that point of view, Lenin's ideology and tactics were essentially dictatorial and provided the basis for Stalin's system of rule. Lenin was a ruthless, cynical and aggressive dictator who had nothing but scorn for humankind (see Pipes 1996: 10–13). Another perspective is that there was no such inevitable development. Although a dictatorship, Lenin's regime functioned very differently from Stalin's. Furthermore, Lenin's vision of a rational dictatorship with responsible leadership and efficient working institutions, was credible (Lewin 1975: 136).
