Stalinist Elaborations, 1930–53

Abstract This chapter shows how the rules functioned under both a predominant and a dominant leader. Although Stalin became more powerful as a leader over this period, the rules that had emerged earlier continued to apply, albeit in some cases in an altered form. This was particularly clear in regard to decision-making where the form this took in the 1920s underwent significant alteration while retaining its collective nature even while Stalin was personally dominant. The nature, role, and acceptability of opposition consolidatedanother important area where such change occurred. This period shows both the flexibility of the rules as well as their capacity to continue to shape politics at the top of the regime.