TOTALITARIANS Meaning and
Definition
-
Totalitarians are individuals or groups that embrace and enforce an ideology or system of government characterized by absolute and centralized control over all aspects of public and private life. This term predominantly refers to political leaders, regimes, or movements that actively seek to establish and maintain an overwhelming degree of authority, leaving little room for dissent, opposition, or individual freedoms.
Totalitarians typically exercise their power through methods such as censorship, surveillance, propaganda, and widespread human rights abuses. They prioritize the interests of the state or ruling party above those of individual citizens, seeking to shape and regulate all aspects of society, including politics, economics, culture, education, and religious practices.
This form of governance often relies on a strong personality cult centered around the leader, who is portrayed as infallible and synonymous with the state or ideology. Totalitarians also tend to suppress or eradicate competing political parties, alternate ideologies, and independent media, striving for complete dominance and control.
Historical examples of totalitarians include Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany, Benito Mussolini in Fascist Italy, Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union, and Kim Jong-un in North Korea. Although totalitarianism has often been associated with authoritarian right-wing or left-wing regimes, it is important to note that it can manifest under a variety of ideological banners.
Common Misspellings for TOTALITARIANS
Etymology of TOTALITARIANS
The word "totalitarian" derives from the noun "totalitarianism", which was first used in English in the 1920s to describe a political system characterized by absolute control over all aspects of public and private life. It is important to note that "totalitarianism" was a relatively new concept during that time period, emerging as a response to the rise of extreme authoritarian regimes in the early 20th century.
The term itself has Latin roots, with the word "totalis" meaning "total" or "whole" and the suffix "-arian" denoting a person or a follower. The term "totalitarian" thus suggests complete control or rule. This word was employed to describe political ideologies, such as fascism or communism, that sought to dominate various aspects of society, including politics, the economy, culture, and individual lives.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
