Totalitarianism
noun
A system of government where the state has total control over every aspect of people's lives.
Under the regime's totalitarianism, individuals had no personal freedoms.
Often appears as...
- rise of totalitarianism
- under totalitarianism
Usage tips
Disapproving
Political, Historical
noun
A system of government where the state has total control over every aspect of people's lives.
Under the regime's totalitarianism, individuals had no personal freedoms.
Often appears as...
- rise of totalitarianism
- under totalitarianism
Usage tips
Disapproving
Political, Historical
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Totalitarianism has a negative tone; it implies oppression and lack of freedom.
The novel depicted a bleak future under totalitarianism.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Context
Use 'totalitarianism' when discussing forms of governance, not for general control issues.
The history class covered the impact of totalitarianism on global politics.
Pro Tip 3/3Total Control
'Totalitarianism' refers to control over all aspects of life, not just political.
Citizens lost the right to free speech under the totalitarianism of the regime.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Totalitarianism has a negative tone; it implies oppression and lack of freedom.
The novel depicted a bleak future under totalitarianism.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Context
Use 'totalitarianism' when discussing forms of governance, not for general control issues.
The history class covered the impact of totalitarianism on global politics.
Pro Tip 3/3Total Control
'Totalitarianism' refers to control over all aspects of life, not just political.
Citizens lost the right to free speech under the totalitarianism of the regime.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Totalitarianism has a negative tone; it implies oppression and lack of freedom.
The novel depicted a bleak future under totalitarianism.
Pro Tip 2/3Political Context
Use 'totalitarianism' when discussing forms of governance, not for general control issues.
The history class covered the impact of totalitarianism on global politics.
Pro Tip 3/3Total Control
'Totalitarianism' refers to control over all aspects of life, not just political.
Citizens lost the right to free speech under the totalitarianism of the regime.
Compare with
absolutismauthoritarianautocracydespotismdictatorshipfascismoligarchytyranny
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Video examples
History vs. Vladimir...
even his enemies admitted that he fully believed in his cause, living modestly and working tirelessly from his student days until his too early death. He saw how power-hungry Stalin was and tried to warn the party, but it was too late." "And the decades of totalitarianism that followed after?"
Video examples
It's OK to feel...
And that is both a good and a bad thing. Right? We can get used to totalitarianism, but we can also get used to -- I've gotten used to a world without the love of my life in it. We can adapt. And I keep using that line as a touchstone for myself,
Video examples
History vs. Vladimir...
even his enemies admitted that he fully believed in his cause, living modestly and working tirelessly from his student days until his too early death. He saw how power-hungry Stalin was and tried to warn the party, but it was too late." "And the decades of totalitarianism that followed after?"
Video examples
It's OK to feel...
And that is both a good and a bad thing. Right? We can get used to totalitarianism, but we can also get used to -- I've gotten used to a world without the love of my life in it. We can adapt. And I keep using that line as a touchstone for myself,
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Trevor Paglen
American Artist
The Internet was supposed to be the greatest tool of global communications and means of sharing knowledge in human history. And it is. But it has also become the most effective instrument of mass surveillance and potentially one of the greatest instruments of totalitarianism in the history of the world.
Quote examples
Dennis Prager
American Journalist
For the Left, tolerance does not mean tolerance. It means first, acceptance. And second, celebration. That is totalitarianism: You not only have to live with what you may differ with, dear citizen, you have to celebrate it or pay a steep price.
Quote examples
Steven Pinker
Canadian Scientist
The strongest argument against totalitarianism may be a recognition of a universal human nature; that all humans have innate desires for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The doctrine of the blank slate... is a totalitarian's dream.
Quote examples
Timothy D. Snyder
American Author
Totalitarianism is not about some state that appears out of nowhere and suddenly is all-powerful. There can't be any such thing. Totalitarianism starts when the difference between your public life and your private life is effaced.
Quote examples
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Leader
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?
Quote examples
Hannah Arendt
German Historian
Only the mob and the elite can be attracted by the momentum of totalitarianism itself. The masses have to be won by propaganda.
Quote examples
Maajid Nawaz
British Activist
Liberalism will beat totalitarianism by killing it softly, not by mimicking it.
Quote examples
Tom Robbins
American Author
The ultimate end of any ideology is totalitarianism.
Quote examples
Thomas Sowell
American Economist
Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face.
Quote examples
Steve Allen
American Entertainer
Totalitarianism is patriotism institutionalized.
Quote examples
Trevor Paglen
American Artist
The Internet was supposed to be the greatest tool of global communications and means of sharing knowledge in human history. And it is. But it has also become the most effective instrument of mass surveillance and potentially one of the greatest instruments of totalitarianism in the history of the world.
Quote examples
Dennis Prager
American Journalist
For the Left, tolerance does not mean tolerance. It means first, acceptance. And second, celebration. That is totalitarianism: You not only have to live with what you may differ with, dear citizen, you have to celebrate it or pay a steep price.
Quote examples
Steven Pinker
Canadian Scientist
The strongest argument against totalitarianism may be a recognition of a universal human nature; that all humans have innate desires for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The doctrine of the blank slate... is a totalitarian's dream.
Quote examples
Timothy D. Snyder
American Author
Totalitarianism is not about some state that appears out of nowhere and suddenly is all-powerful. There can't be any such thing. Totalitarianism starts when the difference between your public life and your private life is effaced.
Quote examples
Mahatma Gandhi
Indian Leader
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?
Quote examples
Hannah Arendt
German Historian
Only the mob and the elite can be attracted by the momentum of totalitarianism itself. The masses have to be won by propaganda.
Quote examples
Maajid Nawaz
British Activist
Liberalism will beat totalitarianism by killing it softly, not by mimicking it.
Quote examples
Tom Robbins
American Author
The ultimate end of any ideology is totalitarianism.
Quote examples
Thomas Sowell
American Economist
Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face.
Quote examples
Steve Allen
American Entertainer
Totalitarianism is patriotism institutionalized.
Example 1 of 10
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