No single Soviet dictator

Could Lenin's death have been followed by a system where by the Party dominates without a single dominant figure?

Well after the death of Stalin it's possible in in fact thats sort of what happened in OTL.With the Party,KGB,& Red Army willing to partner with each other to stomp on the third should it become to powerful.But after Lenin dies unless you remove Stalin from the picture a Quasi-Communist dictatorship was a foregone conclusion

Also can you show one example of a nation successfully being run by a body of rulers(more than 2) that actually worked without denigrating into chaos and being replaced by a 1 ruler system anywhere in human history ?
 
Could Lenin's death have been followed by a system where by the Party dominates without a single dominant figure?

It could have, yes. But I don't see it working out all that well. Chances are one of the leaders, somewhere down the line, would notice that he really doesn't want to share power with anyone else. He'd then cull up some support and get everyone else whacked.
 
You could argue this is what happened for a good few years after Lenin's death. Stalin was hardly in charge and certainly not absolute immediately.

The problem is institutionalising it and subsequently having people strong enough to defend the institution.

As was said above
Also can you show one example of a nation successfully being run by a body of rulers(more than 2) that actually worked without denigrating into chaos and being replaced by a 1 ruler system anywhere in human history ?

Take the iron law of oligarchy. Mix with the fact strong personalities over-awe the weak and a "leader figure" becomes almost inevitable. Especially in a state like the USSR.

You need a large group of strong personalities who for some reason are all opposed not only to someone becoming the leader but are also opposed to their own advancement. Such is an unusual position for a politician to hold.
 
There was in fact a system like you proposed Derek between 1924-1929.
After Lenin’s death there were political manoeuvrings against Trotsky between Stalin, Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev. Then you have Rykov, Mikhail Tomsky and Bukharin. As another faction so I would suggest Lenin’s testament is actually aired and Stalin is promptly drummed out of the party. Then if Trotsky goes as planned I see no reason the Politburo could not govern as a mini Democracy.

With Zinoviev and Kamenev as old Bolsheviks vs Rykov, Tomsky and Bukharin who are the rising stars in the party. While the party would have factions each would make sure that the other would not become too powerful.

So you could have the Defence minister a old Bolshevik and his deputy a new Bolshevik. The same with the General Security etc. Making sure no faction was able to rule.

Also what about just Zinoviev and Kamenev as leaders?
 
Top