Totalitarianism

TOTALITARIANISM!

\(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm\ Definition of TOTALITARIANISM1. centralized control by an autocratic

authority 2. the political concept that the citizen

should be totally subject to an absolute state authority

TOTALITARIANISM

Made famous by

Term employed by Benito Mussolini, the Italian fascist leader. (1883-1945)

Also made famous by Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

Benito Mussolini

Adolf Hitler & Benito Mussolini

Adolf Hitler

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Characteristics of Totalitarianism

Characteristics of Totalitarianism

An official and all-embracing ideology An official belief systems promulgated by

ruling elite Specifying a final goal or end for all

humankind that legitimizes the absolute authority of the regime

It is apparent in Hitler’s Germany and ideology of creation of “master race”

In Stalin’s Soviet Union, the creation of communist society

Figure 2.1 : Demographic of Ideology

Characteristics of Totalitarianism A one-party system

Existence of one-party rule legitimized by appeal to the official ideology.

Germany’s National Socialist German used it to rule as it’s the only party capable of creating the master race.

In reality, it became under the rule of one man, Hitler or Stalin.

Figure 3.1 : Adolf Hitler marching with National Socialist Party

Figure 3.2 : Children below the age of 12 influenced by National

Socialist’s Ideology

Figure 3.1

Figure 3.2

Characteristics of Totalitarianism The imposition of terror

Uses of threats, coercion and violence against the opposition of regime is very common.

Accomplished by creation of secret police and corresponding network of informers.

Terror insures their reign.

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.2

Figure 4.1 : A jew being prosecuted just for being jew.

Figure 4.2 : Another thousands of jew being prosecuted just for being just another jew.

Characteristics of Totalitarianism Mass mobilization of the

population Pervasive system of propaganda. Everybody is expected to accept the

official ideology that legitimizes one-party rule

Through control of schools, cultural groups, labor unions and other means.

Figure 5.2 : For the Motherland, Deutschland

Figure 5.1 : Propaganda of portraying US as liberators

Characteristics of Totalitarianism Lack of genuine pluralism

Groups and organizations do exist, but they are not independent of state and party

control. Labor unions, expected to encourage

worker to sacrifice for good of society.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN

TOTALITARIANISM AND

AUTHORITARIANISM

Totalitarianism Authoritarianism

Charisma High (leaders appear to be very powerful)

Low

Role conception

Leaders as function (leaders function as true leaders and abide strictly to the law)

Leaders as individual (there are laws, but everything still depends on the leaders)

Ends of power

Public (total control towards the public)

Private (decisions made by the leaders are secret)

Corruption Low (more rules, less corruption)

High (do not posses TOTAL control towards the citizens. Thus, there are still freedom of doing things. Leaders are free of doing their own decisions. Corruption occurs.

Official ideology

Yes No

Limited pluralism

No (no freedom at all)

Yes (limited freedom given for as long as the citizens obey the leaders)

Legitimacy Yes No