totalitäre

Totalitarianism is a political concept describing regimes that attempt to regulate nearly every aspect of public and private life. The term describes systems in which an official ideology commands allegiance, and a single party or leader wields central power with little or no constitutional accountability. Core features typically include an all-encompassing ideology; a centralized, one-party state; a monolithic leadership cult; a coercive security apparatus (secret police, mass surveillance); controlled or propaganda-driven mass media; state mobilization of society, including youth organizations; a planned or dirigiste economy subordinated to political goals; suppression of political pluralism and opposition; and pervasive censorship and indoctrination.

Origin and usage: The term emerged in 20th-century political analysis to distinguish regimes with total control from more limited authoritarian regimes. Notable scholars include Hannah Arendt, who emphasized total domination and the use of terror to initiate and sustain rule; Carl J. Friedrich and Zbigniew Brzezinski, who defined eight typical traits. Debates continue about the applicability and scope of the label, and some regimes show totalitarian traits without meeting every criterion.

Historical examples: Nazi Germany (1933–1945), the Soviet Union under Stalin, and Fascist Italy are commonly cited as classic totalitarian states. Other regimes, including Maoist China, and some later variants are described as totalitarian to varying degrees, though many scholars note differences from classical totalitarianism.

Distinctions from authoritarianism: Totalitarian regimes pursue total control over both public and private life and rely on an overarching ideology and mass mobilization, whereas authoritarian regimes primarily seek political power and order with limited ideological reach.