USSR with No Political Purges?

It is unlikely that Stalin is perhaps his state was based on total control.In addition, after the revolution, the Bolsheviks were politically isolated. Calculation on a more democratic USSR is justified only when the October Revolution took part more of the parties (and even necessary to avoid a civil war).
 
Politburo full members 1927 to 1936:
Elected December 1927:
  1. Stalin
  2. Voroshilov
  3. Kalinin
  4. Kuybyshev
  5. Molotov
  6. Bukharin
  7. Rykov
  8. Tomsky
  9. Rudzutaks
November 1929: Bukharin demoted, no replacement
July 1930:
Tomsky not reelected
newcomers:
  1. Kaganovich
  2. Kirov
  3. Kosior
December 1930: Rykov demoted, replaced with Ordzhonikidze
February 1932: Rudzutaks demoted, replaced with Andreyev
February 1934: no change
December 1934: Kirov killed
January 1935: Kuybyshev died, natural causes
February 1935: both vacancies refilled, with Mikoyan and Chubar
February 1937: Ordzhonikidze died, officially natural causes, not replaced
May 1938: Kosior arrested and demoted, not replaced

So, in December 1927, Stalin started with Politburo of 5-4: 4 old bolsheviks (Bukharin, Tomsky, Rykov, Rudzutaks), and 5 Stalinists (himself, Voroshilov, Kalinin. Kuybyshev, Molotov).
The 4 non-Stalinists were picked off separately - Bukharin November 1929, Tomsky July 1930, Rykov December 1930, Rudzutaks February 1932.
The Stalin promotees - all 9 of them - were not openly purged till May 1938 arrest of Kosior - the great purges of 1936-1937 targeted people who were at the time on lower posts, incl. those earlier removed from Politburo.
If Stalin dies between 1927 and 1936, who would be in the position to claim leadership? Would he have the clout to carry out purges?
 
Politburo full members 1927 to 1936:

If Stalin dies between 1927 and 1936, who would be in the position to claim leadership? Would he have the clout to carry out purges?

It has to be Bukharin right? Nobody else has the seniority or credentials. He isn't much of a leader though.
 
It has to be Bukharin right? Nobody else has the seniority or credentials. He isn't much of a leader though.
Trotzky has the seniority and credentials but, in 1928, is exiled to Kazakhstan.
If Stalin dies in 1928, would Trotzky be recalled from exile, or would the remaining 8 Politburo members accept someone among themselves as leader?
 
Trotzky has the seniority and credentials but, in 1928, is exiled to Kazakhstan.
If Stalin dies in 1928, would Trotzky be recalled from exile, or would the remaining 8 Politburo members accept someone among themselves as leader?

No way, the remaining Politburo all hated Trotsky.

I think the Right Opposition takes power
 
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