Plausibility check – North Korea-style Soviet “monarchy”

[Gwendolyn Ingolfsson]

Inspired by the Kim family dynasty in North Korea, I wonder – could the same thing have happened in Soviet Russia under Stalin? Unlike his mirror Hitler, Josef & Mrs. Stalin did find the time to have a few children. However, he was reportedly not all that close to his kids, being regarded as a cold and somewhat distant father. Well, supposing his personality was slightly different and he was as much of a family man as Kim Il-sung was. Would it have been possible for him to establish in the USSR the kind of “red monarchy” that North Korea has? And if so, how long would it last, even if his successors were completely competent? I suspect that the rest of the Politburo would not have been exactly thrilled at the prospect of endless Stalin 'till the crack of Doomsday.

[Corbell Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Gwendolyn Ingolfsson

Inspired by the Kim family dynasty in North Korea, I wonder – could the same thing have happened in Soviet Russia under Stalin? Unlike his mirror Hitler, Josef & Mrs. Stalin did find the time to have a few children. However, he was reportedly not all that close to his kids, being regarded as a cold and somewhat distant father.

Wow, there a shocker!

Well, supposing his personality was slightly different and he was as much of a family man as Kim Il-sung was. Would it have been possible for him to establish in the USSR the kind of “red monarchy” that North Korea has? And if so, how long would it last, even if his successors were completely competent? I suspect that the rest of the Politburo would not have been exactly thrilled at the prospect of endless Stalin 'till the crack of Doomsday.

If there's is one thing Stalin was good at was supressing dissent. If he managed to teach his children well...

I could see it.

Since the major differance here would be an long term extension of the worst of Soviet repression, TTL approaches a soviet dystopia.

Hmm, not sure of long term effects.

Would this Stalinistic SU be more aggressive? Can we assume even worse economic preformance? I would think so. Even greater concentration of decision making does not strike me as an improvement.

[Gwendolyn Ingolfsson]

Bump for more feedback!

[LeoXiao]

This would make a good TL. since you have bumped this topic, you are now obligated to write this TL.

[boynamedsue]

It's doable, but difficult. You need Stalin to have a wife with a massive personality, and children he adores. You want him alive long enough to exterminate everybody who shone in *WWII, and his son to grow to maturity, say 1960? Even then it's difficult because a geographically massive country of hundreds of millions needs alternate centres of power. If it works, the KGB is merged to the army, or it one or the other will probably do for junior. You could have a two step WWII, Nazis versus France, Britain, USSR, then a Ruso-Japanese war. Thus Russia gets smaller and more managrable.

[Jello_Biafra]

Kim Jong Il is just a puppet in the North Korean government anyway. The level of power he has in the government is much less than many of his so-called deputies.

[MerryPrankster]

Stalin apparently loved his first wife and it was after her death that he became all cold and soulless (at her funeral, he said something like "with her died my last warm feelings for the human race").

Her survival might produce a whole lot of butterflies that could prevent Stalin's rise to power in the first place, but assuming he takes power anyway, something like this MIGHT be possible.

[charl]

Originally Posted by MerryPrankster

Stalin apparently loved his first wife and it was after her death that he became all cold and soulless (at her funeral, he said something like "with her died my last warm feelings for the human race").

Her survival might produce a whole lot of butterflies that could prevent Stalin's rise to power in the first place, but assuming he takes power anyway, something like this MIGHT be possible.

Cuddly, loveable Stalin? Now that's a good concept for a TL right there.

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Originally Posted by charl

Cuddly, loveable Stalin? Now that's a good concept for a TL right there.

Ooo... Chibi Stalin, on sale along with Chibi Cthulhu (The latter an OTL product/concept)

[MerryPrankster]

Originally Posted by charl

Cuddly, loveable Stalin? Now that's a good concept for a TL right there.

"Cuddly" and "loveable" are relative. Less cold-hearted and monstrous Stalin, but he was still a terrorist and bank robber before this (IIRC).

[BlackWave]

Originally Posted by Jello_Biafra

Kim Jong Il is just a puppet in the North Korean government anyway. The level of power he has in the government is much less than many of his so-called deputies.

And you would know this how...?

[Noravea]

Well, I doubt he would let his daughter run the Soviet Union, and his only son was killed in WWII.

[Gwendolyn Ingolfsson]

Originally Posted by Nickcvader

Well, I doubt he would let his daughter run the Soviet Union, and his only son was killed in WWII.

Yes. The idea I was musing over involved this slightly different Stalin having a larger family, one of which distinguishes himself as a Red Army Marshal during the Great Patriotic War. And by distinguishes himself I mean “better than Zhukov.” Still....no. Upon further reflection I believe this Stalin dynasty idea of mine won't really work for the alt-USSR I've got in mind. Back to the drawing board.

[Gwendolyn Ingolfsson]

Originally Posted by LeoXiao

This would make a good TL. since you have bumped this topic, you are now obligated to write this TL.

Ah, right away, oh Glorious Comrade Stalin!

/Not.

[Geekhis Khan]

I wonder how tolerant the Russian people will be considering this smells a lot like neo-Czarism. Even if you manage to keep a tight, blood-soaked lid on it that's still going to make organization difficult and embolden any potential plotters. Stalin 2.0 will need to be every bit as ruthless, suspicious, and adroit as daddy or he'll be facing the Khrushchev treatment.

[Berra]

I'd say Lenin Jr would be more likely. Especially if Lenin Sr manage to live to a decent age since he died fairly young (and childless).