totalitaarsete

Totalitaarsed is the Estonian word for totalitarian. It refers to a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to control every aspect of public and private life wherever possible. In a totalitarian regime, the ruling party or leader holds absolute power, suppressing all opposition and dissent.

The concept of totalitarianism emerged in the 20th century, often associated with regimes like Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. These systems typically feature a strong, centralized government, a pervasive ideology, mass surveillance, and the use of propaganda and terror to maintain control. Individual freedoms are severely restricted, and citizens are expected to conform to the state's dictates. Economic systems can vary, but they are generally controlled by the state. The goal is to mobilize the entire population in pursuit of the state's objectives, blurring the lines between the state and society.