He is genuinely interested in what the guy has to say. Zizek admittedly considers 99 per cent of people idiots, and this is why he never listens. This is an exception
So he gives his conclusion but doesn't talk about why he ruled out contending people? I want to hear his reasons for ruling out people like Trotsky, who had a lot of influence despite his confrontational mannerisms with some party members.
I'm glad to hear Mr. Kotkin speculate based upon his knowledge of historical politics. To offer my own amateur take: Had Stalin died the many little countries that Czarist Russia absorbed would have broken away and permanently formed their own nations. A Russia ruled principally by the Soviets--committees and bureaus--would not be coordinated without strong leadership and could not have prevented it. A number did leave even after the Bolsheviks took power. Stalin eventually got about all of them back, and more besides if you count satellite client states.
Trostky had failed just about every political challenge he faced from 1923 onwards. I do not see it likely of him succeeding, even though he had several of Stalin's great organizatorial and cognitive abilities, i am unsure if he would have the ruthlessness and capability to act against fellow bolsheviks when need be.
He's a distinguished Professor of History at Princeton University after having completed his graduate studies on the history of Stalin and the Soviet Union at UC Berkeley. Shut up
