Although Communist systems have lately been collapsing at an unexpected rate, the specter of Communism will continue to haunt us—if no longer as a threat, then as the sum of painful memories and as one of the great mysteries and tragedies of our century. There are several questions one must ponder in order to learn anything from the history of Communism or from the spectacular blunders and bizarre misjudgments of individuals—many of them talented, creative, and full of good will—who were drawn to Communist systems and movements.

How did political systems so thoroughly lacking in popular support and legitimacy manage to perpetuate themselves for so long? What mixture of idealism, commitment, opportunism, and fear motivated those who propped up the authorities? How important were individual leaders—such as Castro, Mao, Stalin, etc.—in perpetuating these systems? Did the most committed members of the elite waver or persist in their beliefs until the last moment, when they were swept away, as in Eastern Europe during 1989? If they too lost their faith, what precisely led to this?

Communism will continue to haunt us—if no longer as a threat, then as the sum of painful memories and as one of the great mysteries and tragedies of our century.

One must also ask why Communist