The article offers an account of developmental stages of Leninist regimes. It is suggested that Leninist regimes undergo the following distinct adaptive stages — transformation, consolidation, and inclusion. The latter stage purpose was to accom - modate new, more complex social and cultural environment to regime 's demands. Regime's inability to resolve the tension between party cadre and citizen resulted in "Leninist extinction " and disappearance of Leninism as an alternative life style.