What is the difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism

Improve this answer. Jan Jan 9, 3 3 gold badges 29 29 silver badges 56 56 bronze badges. This answer covers the core meanings of the words, but for some reason excludes the most textbook example of Fascist Totalitarianism in Nazi Germany. The Nazi's sought to reshape society itself into an authoritarian framework by removing 'undesirables' and making membership in Hitler Youth mandatory.

When we look at modern China though, we see an authoritarian government actively struggling to suppress a new generation of leftist student groups and workers who the government themselves ironically has actively indoctrinated into an ideology that is inherently anti-authoritarian.

AdrianZhang And very authoritarian. GenliAi I'd argue that historical absolute monarchies e. Show 9 more comments. Totalitarian states tend to: Use intense pro-state or pro-leader propaganda, far beyond what's needed for specific issues Undertake deep surveillance of the population, using 'secret' police, invisible security apparatuses, and similar techniques Create expressly 'political' penalties — political prisons, re-education camps, 'disappearings', etc.

Ted Wrigley Ted Wrigley Just pointing out that Authoritiarian need not be always a negative. Consider a head of government in a liberal democratic nation, which is typically the Commander in Chief of the nation's military. The military is trained to follow the orders from the top through the chain of command, with the CiC being the ultimate issuer of orders.

This is authoritarianism. However, it's not totalitarianism as their are legal outlets to check the CiC's authority over the military separation of powers, checks and balances, right to refuse illegal orders, even soldiers voting in regular elections.

I'd use a very different term for that. After all, the constitutional head of state was the Chairmen of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet , while the factual head of government was the General Secretary o the Central Committee. Rohit Then you might want to reevaluate the wording, as to me it reads as stating that whenever there is a split between the two functions it can not be authoritarian system.

And that is simply not true. Show 4 more comments. Genli Ai Genli Ai 2 2 silver badges 12 12 bronze badges. It is a matter of perhaps fuzzy definitions, but Wikipedia claims that [Totalitarianism] is regarded as the most extreme and complete form of authoritarianism. The former term has been used with various shades of meaning though, e. I'm not incredibly familiar with this use, but it seems to be equivalent with an [extreme] "tyranny of the majority"; according to its proponents "totalitarian democracy" retains full power of expropriation and full power of imposition, i.

Fizz Fizz The report began: In the view of this writer a profound conflict between the Communist regimes of Russia and of China is in the long run as certain as anything predictable in politics. Featured on Meta. That said, totalitarianism is a form of government. Democracy is a form of government. For example, as a King, I might deem that our society is all mine, and that my subjects are to serve at my behest, essentially slaves to me and my national interests.

Or… I may deem that liberty is the highest social order, and that the sole purpose of my government is to protect my subjects liberty — their right to consent. I would jail those who would steal, murder, etc. The people would be responsible for funding the forces used to protect their own liberty, and would be free to organize that as they choose.

A democracy — contrary to assertions can be despotic authoritarian, with elected despots who pay off their constituency and rape and pillage others to achieve their ends. The majority in democracies have a very bloody history of violating liberty and consent. That is completely backwards. Totalitarianism is authoritarianism that includes government control of the citizens private life. On the other hand, totalitarianism goes beyond that and invades the private life of every member of the population, in an attempt to change human nature and society as a whole, often through hermetic ideologies Stalinism, National Socialism, Maoism but also often forgoten Fundamentalism in religious theocracies.

My understanding of this write up is that both totalitarianism and authoritarianism are dictatorships. The leader of a totalitarian regime directs the economic and social aspects of his nation by strictly named partners to do so. His followers are genuinely convinced of his set goals. Authoritarianism on the other hand is a regime whose leader imposes himself on the people by instilling fear for loyalty to maintain the status quo.

The ideology of this leader is maintaining power and the regime. His followers are unconvinced because the leader has no agender apart from,remain in power. Social and economic aspects are not strictly monitored,no restrictions with foreign partners provided taxes are paid. In fact,when it comes to social and economic aspects,they are most liberal so long as one does not eye political power.

The difference between the two dictorships maybe slim but there is a difference. He used this form of governance to describe the nature of the fascist state of Italy. Figure 1: Benito Mussolini. Figure 2: Life of the citizens in the totalitarian rule of North Korea under Kim dynasty. Hence, in a totalitarian rule, virtually all public, as well as the private life of the citizens, are controlled by the state. The government controls all aspects of the economy, politics, culture and society, education, religion, and even reproductive and moral rights.

Moreover, fear is a necessary tool used by the ruling party in a totalitarian government. Authoritarian government or authoritarianism is the form of government in which strict obedience from the people to the authority of the state is required even though they have a limited degree of personal freedom. As a result, the citizens have the freedom of individual preferences and beliefs in comparison to that in a totalitarian regime. However, the political process, as well as all individual freedoms such as freedom of speech and public policies are controlled by the government without any constitutional accountability.

One of the most familiar examples of a totalitarian ruler was Adolf Hitler. He went beyond political rule, and sought control over what people believed, and even what race he thought people should be. Another key difference is in the way they execute their ruling. The authoritarian ruler is more focused on individual power, while the totalitarian ruler is more of a charming ideologist who claims to have the best interest of the people or the state in mind.

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