If Stalin was correct about people attempting to kill or betray him, why is he still considered paranoid?

Joseph Stalin, the Soviet Union's leader from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, was known for his distrust of those around him. He was convinced that many people, including close associates, were plotting to kill or betray him. Although there were indeed assassination attempts on his life, his paranoia went far beyond what was justified by the threats he faced.

Stalin's paranoia manifested itself in many ways. He purged the Soviet Union of potential rivals, both real and imagined. He ordered mass arrests and executions of people he suspected of being enemies of the state. He used the secret police to spy on and intimidate the population. All of this led to a climate of fear and suspicion that permeated Soviet society.

Even though Stalin was correct in his belief that people were out to get him, his response was not proportional to the threat he faced. His paranoia caused him to see enemies everywhere, and to act in ways that were both cruel and counterproductive. He alienated potential allies and created a climate of fear that ultimately weakened the Soviet Union.