Totalitarianism and Political Ideologies

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to totalitarianism and political ideologies as discussed in the lecture.

Supersense

An ideology that explains all of history and justifies the regime and its policies. Designates a superior people and an internal enemy that must be eliminated.

deology usurps ALL OTHER FOUNDATIONS OF LEGAL SYSTEM (no natural rights or divine rights, just ideology and human nature)

Ideology

A political ______ uses foundational beliefs as the basis for a system of deductive reasoning and logic. An ______ becomes political by proposing a set of logical (rational) steps for practically applying these beliefs (premises) in the political sphere.

It aspires both to explain the world and change it, and typically does more than establish a certain set of premises (beliefs) as true. It depends upon theoretical ideas, but also attempts to put these theories into practice.

Totalitarianism

A form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and seeks to subordinate all aspects of life to the authority of the State.

Italian dictator Benito Mussolini coined the term to characterize the new fascist state of Italy, which he described as “all within the state, none outside the state, none against the state.” Other modern examples include the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, the People’s Republic of China under Mao Zedong, and North Korea under the Kim dynasty.

In the broadest sense, characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life

Politics

The activities associated with the governance of a country, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties striving for power.

“continuation of war by other means."

Deductive Reasoning

A logical 'top-down' process that starts with general principles to reach specific conclusions.if the starting statements (premises) are true, the conclusion must be true

"In Arendt's view political judgment begin begins from things, people, or events as they appear in the world and then moves towards general statements. It develops 'reflectively' in Kant's terms, not '________. A political judgement is expressed as an opinion" (49).

Apriori

Assumptions made about human nature; deductive logic: If [premise], then [reasoning on the basis of the absolute truth of the foundational premise]

i.e. If we accept Aryans are the superior race, then we can justify a bunch of other things (there is no observational or experiential evidence)

Reflective Reasoning

A reasoning process that bases its premises on the common world and develops in response to appearances in the world.  bases its premises on the common world and develops in response to things, people, or events as they appear in the world and then moves towards general statements

Total Terror

willingness to perseute and sacrifice huge numbers of ppl, whole subpopulations, to the logic of an ideology (no practical or strategic reason)

"Arendt also noted that the introduction in 1945 of atomic weapons put the world under threat of a new form of _______, which meant new institutions for wielding the threat would become necessary if new forms of totalitarianism adopted them" (51)

Destruction of Human Bonds

destroying the bonds of family (laws regulating and forbidding marriage of "between peoples designated supoerior and those designated inferior", spying on family members, regulating reproduction), destructing private spaces for intamicy and family life, religous ideologies controling women and sexual minotities. Breaking generational bonds, children lose childhood and forced into political service, crimes against children.

Government by Bureaucracy

A large governmental system where individuals play small roles and cannot see the whole picture, diminishing personal agency.

large government system where people play a small role under a large umbrella and they can't see the whole picture. Like Pomsel who was a secretary and just worked under a boss couldn't see the whole picture.

split into multiple govs. takes away agency

"assault upon individual judgement and responsibility" (54)

1. Nobody is responsible for the actions of the government "government by nobody” (54) 

2. No one was responsible for the U.S. dropping the bombs on Japan. 

3. Part of a system, you don’t take any action of your own

   1. No private space to be yourself

Fundamentalism

A form of religion that upholds strict, literal interpretations of scripture.

Absolute Sovereignty

Rule or government not bound by any higher internal or external control.

Key Tenets of Totalitarianism

Supersense. An ideology that explains all of history and justifies the regime and its policies. Easy for governments to control people’s thoughts, easy to brainwash. No independent and critical thinking which is dangerous. 

Total terror. Power is entirely wielded by the state, making it nearly impossible for people to rebel. 

Destruction of human bonds- private and public spaces. Creates distrust within family structures and social conversation spaces. Destruction of public spaces that should be free from political parties and biases. 

Government by bureaucracy/ government by nobody. Larger system where people play roles within the systems but cannot see the whole structure.