Two iconoclasms took place in twentieth-century Russian history: the iconoclasm after October revolution, and breakdown of Soviet Union. These two (ideologically opposite) phases iconoclastic actions (dismantling, destruction) were incited by programmes concerning abolition tsarist monuments 1918 met controversial reactions to removal statues former politicians 1990s. The revolutionary demoliti...

This article argues that revolutionary leaders are more willing to commit mass killing than nonrevolutionary leaders. Revolutionary leaders are more ideologically committed to transforming society, more risk tolerant, and more likely to view the use of violence as appropriate and effective. Furthermore, such leaders tend to command highly disciplined and loyal organizations, built in the course...