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