2. TOTALITARIANISM
(ˌ)ō-ˌ
t ta-lə-ˌter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm
Definition of TOTALITARIANISM
1. centralized control by an autocratic authority
2. the political concept that the citizen should be
totally subject to an absolute state
authority
3. Made famous by
Term employed by Benito Mussolini, the Italian
fascist leader. (1883-1945)
Also made famous by Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)
Benito Adolf Hitler & Benito Adolf Hitler
Mussolini
5. 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
7. 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.
8. Figure 3.2
Figure 3.1 : Adolf Hitler marching with
Figure 3.1 National Socialist Party
Figure 3.2 : Children below the age of 12
influenced by National
Socialist’s Ideology
9. 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.
10. Figure 4.2
Figure 4.1 : A jew being prosecuted just for
being jew.
Figure 4.2 : Another thousands of jew being
Figure 4.1 prosecuted just for being just
another jew.
11. 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.
12. Figure 5.2 : For the
Motherland,
Deutschland
Figure 5.1 : Propaganda of portraying US as liberators
13. 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.
14. DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN
TOTALITARIANISM AND
AUTHORITARIANISM
15. Totalitarianism Authoritarianism
Charisma High (leaders appear to be Low
very powerful)
Role Leaders as function Leaders as individual (there
conception (leaders function as true are laws, but everything still
leaders and abide strictly to depends on the leaders)
the law)
Ends of Public (total control Private (decisions made by
power towards the public) the leaders are secret)
Corruption Low (more rules, less High (do not posses TOTAL
corruption) control towards the citizens.
Thus, there are still freedom
of doing things. Leaders are
free of doing their own
decisions. Corruption
occurs.
16. 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
