> the only imperative superior to ideology is survival I think it's more that well-meaning ideologues are easily replaced by self-serving pragmatists in post-r

> the only imperative superior to ideology is survival I think it's more that well-meaning ideologues are easily replaced by self-serving pragmatists in post-revolutionary turmoil. There were plenty of Marxists in Russia vying for power, in the early days. Lenin didn't win based on ideological purity; he won based on political strength. And say what you will about Lenin—he did have beliefs and he did have a real ideology. Stalin only cared about Stalin, and he claimed to believe whatever was convenient for him in the moment.