Totalitarianism

Abstract

Totalitarianism is a political system in which a charismatic leader, most often through a single political party, imposes political authority over society. Authoritarianism is an attempt to subordinate all aspects of collective and individual life to political control. Totalitarian governments work to reduce or eliminate pluralism and, in some cases, individual and cultural expression, through coercion, indoctrination, and often, violence. In place of pluralism, authoritarian leadership attempts to create strong social ties by promoting a unitary ideology. This is often based on religious, ethnic, or linguistic themes. Such ideology is typically developed at the expense of a certain group that is vilified as the enemy of the state. Historical examples of totalitarian regimes include the Soviet Union (1919–1989) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). Contemporary examples include the People’s Republic of North Korea (1953–) and Saudi Arabia (1932–).