The Establishment of the Bolshevik Government in the Soviet Union

The establishment of the Bolshevik government in the Soviet Union was a harbinger for political instability and unconventional strategic tactics in theater of European diplomacy. The ruthless ideology of Bolshevism was a new encounter for leaders in other democratic nations, because of its idealistic yet determined goals for governance. Such a system allowed a shrewd and conniving party worker like Stalin to outmaneuver his political opponents and rise party ranks through despicable and discerning methods. In his period of rule, Stalin established an unprecedented level of authoritarian control over domestic politics, allowing him to enforce his own interpretation of Bolshevik ideology, raising the stakes of unpredictability and ruthlessness. After the humiliation of the Soviet empire in the First World War and three attempted invasions in the period after, the biggest priority in Soviet policy was to surround itself with friendly neighbors to create a buffer zone for its own security and legitimacy.

Bearing in mind the political dynamics of pre-Second World War Europe, with the rise of fascist support and aggression, it became inevitable for pragmatic diplomatic tactics to take precedence in foreign policy. It was a period where ideological disparities prevailed and yet there was an evident lack of insight about the extent to which these disparities extended, giving rise to political tensions and confrontations. Therefore, the plasticity and unconventionality in ideological motivations allowed a leader like Stalin to manipulate his diplomatic intentions and strategy. With respect to foreign policy, he adopted a capricious and realistic approach as his position allowed him to ignore the traditional ideals of collective security and diplomacy. Henry Kissinger aptly describes Josef Stalin as the master practitioner of Realpolitik and rightly so because of his political prudence with respect to dealing with his ‘supposed’ allies and enemies. This paper will evaluate Stalin’s use of Realpolitik in foreign policy with representative examples of its impact and success.

The period between the two world wars in Europe involved immense political volatility and chaos. Due to the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, suppressed nations like Germany and the Soviet Union were forced to re-establish their prominence by engaging in opaque diplomatic ties with other nations. As the leader of the communist regime, Stalin had a clear ideological conflict with the capitalist regimes of the world. This ideological difference allowed him to chart his own strategic approach in establishing diplomatic relations with liberal democracies and fascist regimes alike. This approach involved dealing with situations as per the strategic benefit of the outcome regardless of ideological differences with the other party. Stalin was aware of the level of distrust between democratic nations and the Soviets, allowing him to manipulate