PeopleProfitsPensions.com

By: Robert F. Abbott

It’s an irony almost too delicious to be true: A theme-park about former Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Called Grutas Park, you will find it Lithuania, one of the countries invaded by Stalin, and occupied by the Soviet Union for almost half a century.

No man has ever murdered or hurt so many in his quest to impose socialism around the world — and bury capitalism, as one of his successors put it. During his roughly 30 years in power, he imposed communist philosophies and practices at huge human costs.

Under his leadership, Russia and what was to become the Soviet Union became a command economy, through and through. Centralized planning replaced all free market initiatives. This system was imposed with brutality and absolutely no tolerance for dissent.

One sector which did resist, for a time, was agriculture. Farmers, who had just gained freedom from serfdom some 60 years earlier, did not want to be subsumed by huge collective farms, where all decisions were made by the state.

But Stalin would allow no deviations from his central plan. His collectivization of agriculture did go ahead, and led to widespread famine costing the lives of five to ten-million people. And they were just a fraction of the total lost through imposition of the communist version of socialism.

Yet, capitalism is getting the last word, it seems.

A few years ago, a Lithuanian farmer and entrepreneur thought it would be a good idea to save the Soviet-era statues that were being thrown away or destroyed after Lithuania gained its independence. And, he made these statues of Stalin, other Soviet leaders, and various artifacts the centerpiece of his theme park, in hopes future generations will never forget the horrors of Soviet governments.

Not only did he build the park, but he built it with his tongue in cheek. The Russians and other Soviets are getting a figurative stick in the eye. But the combination of bleak history and black humor seem to have won the hearts of other people all over Europe. In a story from 2006, attendance was put at more than 200,000 a year.

In the best capitalist tradition, entry to Grutas Park is by paid admission and you can even buy souvenirs.

It’s enough to make an old comrade roll up in a Five Year Plan and die, isn’t it?

You’re reading the commentary section of People, Profits, & Pensions. There’s also a book section, where you can read excerpts from my forthcoming book by the same name, visit http://www.people-profits-pensions.com . In addition to reading, you can also be a book critic and give me your thoughts on what you’ve read.