Stephen Kotkin on Stalin, Power, and the Art of Biography | Conversations with Tyler

In his landmark multi-volume biography of Stalin, Stephen Kotkin shows how totalitarian power worked not just through terror from above, but through millions of everyday decisions from below. Currently a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution after 33 years at Princeton, Kotkin brings both deep archival work and personal experience to his understanding of Soviet life, having lived in Magnitogorsk during the 1980s and seen firsthand how power operates in closed societies.

Tyler sat down with Stephen to discuss the state of Russian Buddhism today, how shamanism persists in modern Siberia, whether Siberia might ever break away from Russia, what happened to the science city Akademgorodok, why Soviet obsession with cybernetics wasn't just a mistake, what life was really like in 1980s Magnitogorsk, how modernist urban planning failed there, why Prokofiev returned to the USSR in 1936, what Stalin actually understood about artistic genius, how Stalin's Georgian background influenced him (or not), what Michel Foucault taught him about power, why he risked his tenure case to study Japanese, how his wife's work as a curator opened his eyes to Korean folk art, how he's progressing on the next Stalin volume, and much more.

Recorded November 13th, 2024

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Chapters
00:01:27 - On Siberia
00:11:42 - On Akademgorodok, or Academic City
00:16:10 - On living in Magnitogorsk
00:33:35 - On Stalin
00:54:04 - On learning from Michel Foucault
01:09:06 - On East Asian art
01:16:57 - On his final Stalin volume

[taleiran]

With every interview Stephen Kotkin reveals new extraordinary sides of his fascinating life and intellect

[chrisjones]

I’m not sure how many how’d of Kotkins talks, podcasts and lectures I’ve listened to since I discovered him several years ago, probably 100+.
Yet this talk introduced me to a side of him that I was totally unaware of.
Quite simply the guy is brilliant.

[chegadesuade]

Of all the interviews I've heard from Stephen Kotkin I think this is one of his best, he finally talks at length about Russian culture and his personal experiences living there. I'd love to hear more about that, his grasp of Russian history and culture is very helpful to most of us in the west who have no concept of Russian culture and the people.

[ryanmbira]

Best interview of stephen kotkin I’ve ever seen

[leanmchungry]

A terrific conversation, Tyler knows how to ask questions and Kotkin knows how to talk:)

[VincentFulco]

Prof. Kotkin is the best. Thanks for this.

[philosopherkink]

one of the most coherent and deep-thinking academics of modern times,  
was such a pleasure to listen, thank you from Ukraine!

[sonnyfinch]

I am so glad you survived cancer Prof Kotkin. God bless you

[celinamontemorra]

Sooo happy to hear Stephen Kotkin. Great author, historian, speaker. May his health challenges are now behind him so we can all continue enjoying his wealth of knowledge and ready to read volume 3.

[MKeller]

I hate it when people use the word "stunning" to describe an object or event, but this interview deserves the descriptor. I am always most taken with Prof. Kotkin's deep humanity and his appreciation for the complexity of our nature and evolution. This interview simply ratcheted that appreciation to a new dimension. Thanks to you both.

[mithunkartha]

Professor Kotkin's talks are addictive.

[nikmurano]

Deep admiration for Stephen Kotkin.

Tyler demonstrates how you do a proper interview. It’s clear he’s done his homework in a way I haven’t seen before and it makes this interview remarkable.

[kalinamarinova]

a word prof. Kotkin says shouldn't be missed! so valuable!! I wish him long good health and further successful work projects!

[AMLPVL]

For me who was born and grown up in Magnitogorsk is great honour to get feedback of Mr. Kotkin. I have read Magnet Mountain and can say that it’s impressive how true and unique can be view on my native city. Very much appreciated.
On hope i will meet Mr. Kotkin personally. Best regards from Berlin. Pavel

[TerryHilsberg]

As many have commented, this is as much an interview regarding obscure parts of Russian history as a story about Stephen Kotkin's life. Well done to Tyler using his unique interview style to draw this out. To draw out Stephen's life story via illustration of his work process.

[vwm]

My history goes back to my great grandparents who fled Russia during the progrom, s. I received a geneology of them and the history of all my distant relatives stories. This incredibley informative narrative gives so much color and depth to my personal family 's life that I am truly greatful to Stephan I am so lucky that I became a American Citizen and my children and grandchildren are blessed living in the USA.

[JumpingCow]

Extraordinary interview! You listen to someone like Prof. Kotkin, and a whole new set of views on this inscrutable world opens up.

[Medafets]

Kotkin isn't just an amazing historian, in the way he speaks and relays information he's a brilliant story teller. What a talent.

[MaryChristensen-cu]

Thank you Tyler for always letting your guests answer the questions...I feel that is where the most insightful information always comes. Also, thank you for the entertainment - such as when you ask off the wall questions.

[janegardener]

Thanks for this interview with Stephen Kotkin. He is so knowledgeable and interesting.