Final answer:
The Cominform mirrored Stalin's model of government through centralization of power, suppression of dissent, and control over member states, reflecting Stalin's totalitarian regime. It also extended Stalin's economic policies to other European communist nations, often to their detriment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In what ways did Cominform mirror Stalin’s model of government? The Cominform, or the Information Bureau of the Communist and Workers' Parties, was set up in 1947 to ensure coordination among European communist governments post-World War II, under the leadership of the Soviet Union. This organization mirrored the Stalinist model through its centralization of power, suppression of dissent, and strict control over member states, reflecting the totalitarian nature of Stalin's regime. Stalin led the Soviet Union into totalitarianism, marked by the exhaustive state control of every aspect of citizens' lives, including the economy and education. The Soviet secret police enforced Stalin's policies through terror and intimidation, and propaganda was extensively used to control information and promote communist ideals. The Cominform served as an international extension of this model, with the Soviet Union at the helm, dictating the policies and practices of other communist nations and ensuring adherence to Marxist-Leninist ideology. This coordination was crucial for maintaining Stalin's influence in Europe, and it enforced the same Stalinist policies of severe control and repression observed domestically within the Soviet Union. Additionally, the Cominform served as a platform for Stalin to extend his economic policies across Europe, despite the Soviet economy's struggles. After World War II, countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania were steered towards forming communist governments with the hope of stability and economic growth. However, similar to Stalin’s domestic policies, these satellite states were subjected to resource extraction to finance Soviet expenses, illustrating economic parallels with the internal workings of the Soviet Union. The dissemination of the Stalinist economic model by the Cominform reflected Stalin’s belief in the superiority of the Soviet system and his disregard for the autonomy and well-being of other nations under its influence.