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Stalinism controlled social life through propaganda, political life through the use of political crime and the politicization of life and the workers life, with proletarianism dominating all aspects of work and more.

I can't seem to find any aspects of Soviet life that Stalinism didn't control. What were the limits of Stalin's control?

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I'm waiting for @anixx to weigh-in on this as the Mighty Eagle perhaps also would :) –  Drux May 2 '13 at 18:58
Please include in your question, on what basis you tell the difference between "did" and "didn't". Without it it's difficult to understand what answer you expect. –  Darek Wędrychowski May 2 '13 at 23:06
I'm still tangled up in how many negatives. Is there no evidence that not Stalin didn't control not life? Could you rephrase the question so that it is clearer what you're looking for. What is an "aspect of Soviet life"? (which trouser leg you put on first?) You seem to be asking what were the limits of Stalin's control, and I'm not convinced that there is a simple answer to that question. –  Mark C. Wallace May 3 '13 at 10:53
Do you consider a street patroled by law enforcement to be under control of Stalinism? –  Anixx May 6 '13 at 11:44
Don't worry I've got answers now, I was looking for things like religion, and how it still thrived despite Stalin's attempts to stop it. –  Olly Price May 11 '13 at 18:53

2 Answers 2

The main historiography, which you should really have searched prior to asking the question. Most obviously Sheila Fitzpatrick's work on everyday Stalinism at the work unit level, particularly Everyday Stalinism: Ordinary Life in Extraordinary Times (1999). Rossman (2005) Worker resistance under Stalin. Andrle (1988) Workers in Stalin's Russia.

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The state and Communist party TRIED to control ALL aspects of people's life. Another question is how successful they were.

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