G. MALENKOV

Comrade STALIN­ Leader of Progressive Mankind

FOREIGN LANGUAGES PUBLISIDNG HOUSE

G. MAL EN K 0 V

Comrade ST ALIN­ Leader of Progressive Mankind

FOREIGN LANGUAGES PUBLISHING HOUSE Moscow 1950 The present edition is a translation of a pamphlet written by G. Malenkov on the occasion of J . V. Stalin's seventieth birthday, published by Gospolitizdat, Moscow 1950. A quarter of a century ago Comrade Stalin vowed in the name of the Party to fulfil the behests of Lenin with credit. This vow resounded as a battle call to the Party, to the , to the ; it was the guiding star in the historic struggle for the transformation of social life, for the building of socialist society. Comrade Stalin led our Party and the Soviet people along Lenin's path. He upheld and developed Lenin's theory of the possibility of building Socialism in one .country. Carrying out Lenin's behests, our Party, led by Comrade Stalin, effected the socialist industrialization of our country and the collectivization of our agriculture, and converted the into a great industrial and collective-farm socialist power. Comrade Stalin understood Lenin's inspired ideas re­ garding a Marxist party of a new type with a profundity equalled by none; he protected the purity of the teaching of Marx-Engels-Lenin, developed the Marxist-Leninist theory, and steeled the Party in battle against numerous enemies; he has trained, and continues to train, cadres capable of advancing the cause of our Party. In October 1917, in the Civil War, in the years of intervention, when Comrade Stalin, together with Lenin, directed the Socialist Revolution and the vanquishing of the enemies of Soviet power, in the Great Patriotic War, when he directed the vanquishing of some of the most powerful enemies of our Motherland-at all these momen­ tous turning points of history, the grandeur of Stalin was manifest to the whole world.

II TDgether with the great Lenin, CDmrade Stalin fDunded the first SDdalist State in the wurld. Under the banner Df Lenin, under the leadership uf CDmrade Stalin, Dur mighty MDtherland, the SDviet Land, whDse Ip,eDples are bDund.by amity and friendship, is alive, growing and gain­ ing strength. In the secund wDrld war, when the world was menaced by the dark f01'ces Df fascism, and human civilizatiDn was threatened with destructiDn, CDmrade Stalin, heading the Suviet UniDn, persDnally directed the defeat of Hitler's hurdes, secured the victDry Df the peace-IDving natiDns, was the recDgnized leader iIn the grim struggle fOol' the liberatiDn uf mankind frDm the fascist yuke. "\¥hen the secDnd wDrld war was ended, and new aspirants to wDrld dDminatiDn' appeared on the s{'ene, Comrade Stalin urged the peoples tOo fight resDlutely against the instigatDrs Df ,a new wurld war, and welded the partisans of peace intD a mighty furce. CDnsistently and relentlessly eXJposing the incendiaries Df a new war, CDmrade Stalin became the leader Df the great mDvement fur peace. CDmrade Stalin is rightly regarded as a great and luyal friend Df the freedDm-IDving natiuns uf the PeDple's De­ mucracies, liberated from faseist subjugatiDn, and Df the peuples ad' and Nurth KDrea, whu have thrDwn uff the imperialist yoke Dnce and fOol' all. That is why the peuples Df the Soviet UniDn and all prDgressive humanity IDUk u.pDn CDmrade Stalin as their recDgnized leader and teacher. That is why tDday they SD express their warm IDve and devotion tOo CDmrade Stalin and acknDwledge his great services in the struggle fur a h3jppy life and fOol' peace amung nations. Cumrade Stalin's name has IDng been a symbDI uf peace in the minds Df the peDples Df all cDuntries. All WhD are anxiDus tOo cDmbat the instigators Df a

4 new war know and are convinced that they make no mistake in rallying around Comrade Stalin, the great de­ fender of peace. Having lived through the Ihorrors of the last world war, humanity yearns for peace and is firmly opposed to another carnage. It is because of this that all peoples welcome with gratitude the resolute and unqualified policy of \peace pursued and upheld by Comrade Stalin. Try as they may to slander our socialist country, the warmongers will not succeed in destroying the conviction of the common people that the Soviet Un10n is a sincere champion of peace and consistently works to safeguard peace throughout the world, that our country, as Com­ rade Stalin says, is capable of pursuing and is actually pursuing a policy of peace, and is doing so not hypo­ critically, but honestly and frankly, resolutely aIO!d con­ sistently. Their reckless and presumptuous designs having been exposed, the warmongers are endeavouring to deceive the common people by falsely asserting that the Com­ munists consider it impossible f'0r socialist countries and capitalist countries to coexist in peace. They endeav­ our to camouflage their criminal activities in preparing a new war by slandering the sincere p'0licy of peace pursued by the Communists. Yet Comrade Stalin has very definitely declared time and again that the Soviet Union proceeds from the fact that the two systems-Socialism and capitalism-must in­ evitably exist side by side for a long time, and firmly adheres to the line of loyal and peaceful relations with all states which manifest a desire for friendly coopera­ tion, Iprovided the principles of reciprocity and fulfilment of obligations assumed are observed. The Soviet Union's foreign policy, conducted under the guidance of Comrade Stalin, is aimed at ensnring

5 durable peace among the peoples and strengthening to the utmost friendly cooperation among the peace-loving nations. And on repeated occasions since the second world war, too, Comrade Stalin has precisely stated in reply to ques­ tions that peaceful and Iprolonged cooperation between the U.S.S.R. and the capitalist countries is entirely pos­ sible. It will suffice to recall at least tbe following £orthright and unambiguous statements of Comrade Stalin. In September 1946, Mr. Alexander Werth, MosC()w correspondent of the Sunday Times, asked Comrade Stalin whether he believed that, with the further progress of the Soviet Union towal'ds Communism, the chances of peaceful cooperation with the outside world would re­ main undiminished insofar as the Soviet Union was con­ cerned, and also whether "Communism in one country" was possible. To this Comrade Stalin replied: "I do not doubt but that the possibilities for peaceful cooperation will not only not diminish, but may even increase. 'Com­ munism in one C()untry' is quite possible, eiSpecially in a country like the Soviet Union." In December 1946, Elliot Roosevelt asked Comrade Stalin whether he thought it possible that such a democ­ racy like the United States could live peacefully side by side in this world with such a communist fO'rm of govern­ ment as existed in the Soviet Union, and that attempts would not be made by either side to interfere in the inter­ nal political affairs of the other. Comrade Stalin replied: "Yes, of course. This is not only possible but sensible and quite feasible. In the most tense periods of the war the differences in form of government did not prevent our two countries from uniting and defeating our eneruies. 'To an even greater extent is it possible to preserve these relations in peacetime."

6 In April 1947, Comrade Stalin said in the interview with Mr. Stassen: " ... One should not indulge too much in criticism of .one another's system. Every people adheres to the system it wants and is able to adhere to. Whkh system is best, history will show. One must respect the system chosen and approved by the people. Whether the system m the U.S.A. lis good or bad is the affair of the American peotple. Nations need not have identical systems in order to cooperate. One must respect the systems chosen by the people. Only on this condition is coopera­ tion ·possible." In May 1948, in reply to Mr. Wallace's open letter, Comrade Stalin wrote: " ... The Government of the U.S.S.R. considers that, notwithstanding the differ­ ence i!n economic systems and ideology, the coexistence of these systems and peaceful regulation of differences between the U.S.S.R. and the ,U.S.A. are not only pos­ sible but absolutely essential in the interests of general peace." In January 1949, Mr. Kingsbury Smith, European general manager of International News Service, asked Comrade Stalin whether the Government of the US.S.R. would be prepared to consider the issuance of a joint declaration with the Government of the United States of America asserting tIlat tbe respective governments have no intention of resorting to war against one another, and whether the Government of the U.S.S.R. would be pre­ pared to join with the Government of the United States of America in measures designed to implement ~his Pact of Peace, .such as gradual disarmament, Comrade Stalin replied that "the Soviet Government wuuld be pr€lpared to consider the issuance of such a declaration," and fur­ ther: '''It goes without saying that the Government 'of .the U.S:S.R. would cooperate with the Government of the United States of America in measures designed at 1 the implementation of a Pact of Peace and leading to gradual disarmament." This is what Comrade Stalin says, expressing the de­ sire of the Soviet people for peaceful, constructive labour. for the establishment of friendly relations among the peo­ ples of all countries. TIle Soviet Union considers the line of iPeaceful competition with capitalism quite acceptable. Through the mouth of Comrade Stalin, the entire Soviet people unreservedly declare that the U.S.S.R. is oppospd to military adventures and is in favour of lasting world peace, although the Soviet people are absolutely convinced of their invincible strength. And throughout the whole existence of the Soviet Union repeated proof has been .given that the word and deed of our great leader are never at variance. It is vain for the sordid and venal hacks to froth at the mouth and accuse the Soviet Union of pursuing an aggressive !policy-our teacher and leader, Comrade Stalin, has issued the great call for peace among nations, and this call is fmding an ever deeper response in the hearts of the people. No pen pirates in the warmongering camp will succeed in defaming the Stalin policy of friendship among nations, or in deleting the sacred word Peace in­ scribed on the banners of the peace-loving nations. The mighty movement for peace and against the in­ ·stigators of a new war is continuously spreading and gaining strength. In Comrade Stalin the peoples of all countries see the great defender of ,peace.

* * * One of the great achievements due to the guidance of the Bolshevik Party is the friendship that :has been so firmly established among the peoples of our country. ,Ql!ly the B~lshevik Party, the consistent protagonist of 8 the idea of internationalism, of international solidarity, could forge this unbreakable fraternity of peoples,. The Patriotic War of 1941-45 was a most severe test for all the forces of the Soviet peoples, and it was at the same time a most serious test for the Bolshevik Party. From this test the Party emerged with supreme triumph. Boundlessly devoted to the cause of Communism, and following the wise guidance of Comrade Stalin, our Party constantly inspired the people and mobilized their forces for the struggle against the enemy. The Party's organiza­ tional work united the efforts of all the Soviet people, of all the mass organizations of Soviet society, and directed them towards a common aim. All the forces and resources of the country were harnessed to the task of defeating the enemy. The Bolshevik Party once more demonstrated its unsurpassed ability to mobilize the masses in the most complex situations. In all the difficult stages of the struggle for the free­ dom and happiness of the rpeop'~es, for the independence and ,prosperity of our Motherland, for the building of communist society in our country, the Bolshevik Party achieved success because it had won the confidence of the Soviet millions by continuously strengthening its ties with the masses and listening to the voice of the masses. Comrade Stalin teaches that the Bolshevik Party is s·trong because, while leading the movement, it always preserves and multi:plies its ties with the broad mass of the working people. "The strength of the Bolsheviks, the strength of the Communists," says Coml1ade Stalin, "lies in the fact that they are able to rally millions of active non-Party people aroUDid our Party. W\e Boishevik!l would never have a.rilJieved the successes we have now achieved had we not been able to win for the Party the confidence of mil­ lions of non-Party workers and peasants. And what is

9 n~eded for this? What is needed is for the members' of the Party not to isolate themselves. from the nonrParty people; for the Party members not to withdraw into their Party shell, not to get puffed up about belonging to the Party, but to heed the' voice of the non-Party people; not only to teach the non-Party people, but also ' to learn from them." In all the stages of the struggle and of the great crea­ tive work ' of building socialist society, Comrade Stalin constantly warns our Party, and particularly its leading cadres, not to gIve way to self-complacency, never to cease being alive to shortcomings in their work. Leaders who do not notice shortcomings, who reconcile themselves to shortcomings, are inc'lpable of' advancing the cause, and act not to the advantage of the state, but to its det­ riment. The Parly can successfully accomplish the tasks con' fronting it only if full scope is given to Bolshevik criti­ cism and self-criticism, which are a basic condition for the development of our Party. Comrade Stalin teaches that without self-criticism we cannot 'advance, that self-criticism is as necessary to us 'as air and water, that, indeed, the strength of Bolshevism lies in the fact that it does not fear criticism, and from criticism of its shortcomings draws energy for its further advance. The slogan of self-criticism, Comrade Stalin says', "is the basis and foundation of the Bolshevik Party. It is the basis and foundation of the regime of the dictatorship of the proletariat. Since our 'country is a country of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and the dictatorship is directed by one party, the Communis.t Party; which does not 'and cannot share power w,ith other parties-is it not clear that we ourselves must disclose and rectify our mis­ takes if we want' to move forward ...."

10 Comrade Stalin teaches that self-criticism is a special method, a Bolshevik method of training cadres'. " ... As a result of self-criticism," Comrade Stalin has said, "our economic cadres are beginning to smarten up, are becoming more vigilant, are beginning to treat ques­ tions of economic leadership more seriously, and our Party, Soviet, trade union and all other cadres are becom­ ing more keen and responsive to the requirements of the masses." Comrade Stalin teaches that the purpose of self-criti­ cism is to disclose and eliminate our errors and weaknesses. "Let the Party, let the Bolshe,iks, let all honest work­ ers and labouring elements i:n our country," Comrade Stalin said, "disclose the shortcomings in our work, the shortcomings in our oonstructive efforts, let them indicate the ways to eliminate our shortcomings, so that there may be no stagnation, putrefaction and decay in our work and our constructive efforts, and so that all our work, all our colIlstructive efforts may improve from day to day and proceed from success to success." Comrade Stalin teaches that self-criticism is an im­ portant means of developing the knack of administration in the working people. "And what is required in order to unfetter the forces and abilities of the working class and the working people generally and to give them the opportunity to acquire the knack of administering the country? 'Vhat this requires above all," Comrade Stalin sand, "is honest and Bolshevik application of the slogan of self-criticism, honest and Bolshevik application of the slogan of criticizing the-short­ comings and errors in our work from below." 'Vhen the state of self-criticism is unsatisfactory, some executives inevitably tend to acquire a bureaucratic atti­ tude tIo affairs, to become vain, haughty and conceited. A run of success is particularly conducive to the develop-

11 ment of self-complacency and an uncritical attitude to­ wards one's shortcomings. That is why, with socialist con­ struction proceeding successfully, many executives in Party, Soviets, econrunic organizations and trade unions develop a spirit of excessive self-confidence and braggartry and contelIllPt for criticism: on the part of rank-and-file Com­ munists. Such maladies are cured principally by the verification of leaders by the Party masses. Comrade Stalin teaches that verification from above must be combined with veri­ ficatibn from below. "Some comrades think," Stalin (has said, "that people may be verified only from above, the chiefs verifying the subordinates by the results of their work. This is wrong. Verification from albove is of course needed, it being one of the effective meansl of verifying people and of verifying the execution of assignments. But verification from above by no means exhausts the work of verification. There is another kind of verification, verification from below, whereby the masses, the subordinates verify the chiefs, point out their errors and the way to correct them. This sort of verification is one of the most effectual methods of verifying people. "The Party masses verify their leaders at meetings of active members, at conferences and at congresses, by hearing their reports, by criticizing shortcomings, lastly, by electing or not electing one or ar~other leading comrade to leading bodies. The shict adherence to democratic centralism m the Party, as the rules of the Party demand, the obligatory election of Party bodies, the right to nominate and to object to candidates, secret ballot, free­ dom of criticism and self-criticism~all these and similar measures must be put into effect in order, among other reasons, to facilitate the verification and control of Party leaders by the Party membership.

12 "The non-Party masses verify their econamic, trade uniJan and ather leaders at meetings of active members of nan-Party bodies and at mass conferences of every descriptian, where they hear the reparts of their leaders, criticize shartcamings' and indicate ways af rectifying them. "Lastly, the people verify the leaders af the country at electians to' the lO.gans of power of the Saviet Union, by means af universal, equal a!lld direct suffrage and se­ cret ballat. "The task is to cambine verificatian from abave with verificatian fram below." Cansistent applicatian af the slagan of self-criticism: demands that all whO' hamper and oppos'e its develapment shauld be resalutely cambatted, and that all whO' actively come farward with healthy criticism shauld be pratected from persecutian, sa that those whO' justly criticize lIllay feel that they have tJhe arganized pawer af the callective behind them. The desire to cambat shartcomings can be strengthened in the masses anly if they are certain that painting aut and disclos'ing shartcamings will have real effect. Comrade Stalin teaches that we must cambat ruthlessly all instances of suppressian 0'1' persecution af self-criticism. Persecutian af self-criticism, Comrade Stalin says, wauld have the effect af killing all independent initiative in the Party organizations, af undermining the 'prestige of the leaders amang the Party masses, af disintegrating the Party and of intraducing intO' the life of the Party organi­ zations the anti-Party marais of bureaucrats, of swarn enemies of the Party. Camrade Stalin educates our Party eadre& to be in­ talerant af boastfulness and self-complacency. He stresses that Party leaders must nat adarn the truth, must nat conceal the real state of affairs fram the Party. If a Bal- H shevik is fir1lDly cQnvinced he is right, he must nQt aCCQm­ mQdate himself to anybQdy's QpiniQn but act as his reaSQn and conscience dictate. If a BQlshevik is right, if his wQrds and actiQns cQnfQrm with the ideas, appeals, de­ cisiQns and instructions 'Of the Party, nQ one and nQthing can' make him swerve from the right path. CQmrade Stalin cQnstantly reminds us that nQt vanity, but mQdesty adQrns a Bolshevik, and that every leader, Whatever PQst he may hold, is a servant of the peQple. It is a traditiQn of Bolshevik leadership that leaders should maintain pel1manent contact with the masses and should be willing tQ learn from the masses and t.Q correct the shortcQmings PQinted out by the working ,people. CQmrade Stalin teaches that in the performance of 'Our day-to-day work we must not becQme petrified, nQt be guided solely by old fQrmulas, but must study daily experience and boldly rectify errQrs, SQ that the building 'Of a new life may be directed in a creative way. Creative leadership means that, while follQwing the Marxist­ Leninist teachings we must study the latest experience in CQnstructive wQrk and struggle, draw scientific general­ izations from it and reflect it in the practrical daytQ-day wQrk 'Of leadership. . "TQ sit at the :helm and stare in frQnt 'Of yQU withQut seeing anything, until circumstances bring you face tQ face with SQme calamity-that is nQt leadership. This is nQt tlle way BQlshevism understands leadership. In 'Order to lead, 'One must fQresee," CQmrade Stalin says. * * * The Soviet people have unbQunded cQnfidence in 'Our Party, they IQve the Party 'Of Lenin and Stalin, and regard it as their 'Own Party, a Party near and dear tQ them. Comrade Stalin sets high value on the cQnfidence 'Of the people and teaches the Party tQ treasure it. The Soviet

14 people all remember the moving words uttered by our great leader on May 24, 1945, at the reception given in the Kremlin to Red Army commanders, W1hen Comrade Stalin proposed the health of our Soviet people and ex­ pressed warm thanks to the Russian people for the con­ fidence they had placed in the Soviet Government in the trying days of the Great Patriotic War. Under the leadership of Comrade Stalin, our people are confidently marching to Communism. The eyes of the people of the Soviet Union and of hundreds of millions in all countries turn with deep grat­ itude to Comrade Stalin. Progressive mankind 10Qks upon Comrade Stalin as its beloved leader and teacher, and believes and knows that the cause of Lenin and Stalin is invincible. Printed in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics '\ \