Totalitarianism
A Government of Total Control
Total, Centralized State Control
• Totalitarianism—government that dominates every aspect of life
• Totalitarian leader is often dynamic* and persuasive
*pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic: the dynamic president of the firm.
Police Terror
• Government uses police to spy on and intimidate people– “Normally, the police are expected to respond to
criminal activity and protect the citizens. In a totalitarian state, the police serve enforce the central government’s policies.” (p. 874)
Indoctrination• Government shapes people’s minds through
slanted education– “Control of education is absolutely essential to glorify
the leader and his policies and to convince all citizens that their unconditional loyalty and support are required.” (p. 874, 876)
• Government controls all education, from early grades to college.
• Children learn the virtues of the state.• Teachers and students who challenge the state
are punished.
Propaganda and Censorship
• Totalitarian states spread *propaganda.• Government controls all mass media, and
**crushes opposing views.
*biased or incomplete information used to sway people
**censorship
Religious or Ethnic Persecution
• Leaders brand religious, ethnic minorities “enemies of the state.”
Ideology
• sets goals ofthe state
• glorified aims ofthe state
• glorified govern
Ideology
• sets goals ofthe state
• glorified aims ofthe state
• glorified govern
Dynamic Leader
• unites people• symbolizesgovernment
• encourages popularsupport through
force of will
Dynamic Leader
• unites people• symbolizesgovernment
• encourages popularsupport through
force of will
Dictatorship &One-Party Rule
• exercises absoluteauthority
• dominates thegovernment
Dictatorship &One-Party Rule
• exercises absoluteauthority
• dominates thegovernment
State Controlof Society
• business• labor
• housing• education
State Controlof Society
• business• labor
• housing• education
Modern Technology
• mass communicationto spread propaganda
• advance militaryweapons
Modern Technology
• mass communicationto spread propaganda
• advance militaryweapons
Methods ofEnforcement:
• police terror• indoctrination
• censorship• persecution
Methods ofEnforcement:
• police terror• indoctrination
• censorship• persecution
State Controlof Individuals
• demands loyalty• denies basic liberties
• expects personalsacrifice for thegood of the state
State Controlof Individuals
• demands loyalty• denies basic liberties
• expects personalsacrifice for thegood of the state
TOTALITARIANISMTOTALITARIANISM
Fear of Totalitarianism• George Orwell illustrated the
horrors of a totalitarian government in his novel, 1984. The novel depicts a world in which personal freedom and privacy have vanished. It is a world made possible through modern technology. Even citizen’s homes have television cameras that constantly survey their behavior.
Totalitarian leaders in the 20th century
• Adolf Hitler (Germany) 1933-1945
• Benito Mussolini (Italy) 1925-1943
• Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union) 1929-1953
• Kim Il Sung (North Korea) 1948-1994
• Saddam Hussein (Iraq) 1979-2003