A Government of Total Control

The term totalitarianism describes a government that takes total, centralized,

state control over every aspect of public and private life. Totalitarian leaders

appear to provide a sense of security and to give a direction for the future. In the

20th century, the widespread use of mass communication made it possible to

reach into all aspects of citizens’ lives.

A dynamic leader who can build support for his policies and justify his

actions heads most totalitarian governments. Often the leader utilizes secret

police to crush opposition and create a sense of fear among the people. No one

is exempt from suspicion or accusations that he or she is an enemy of the state.

Totalitarianism challenges the highest values prized by Western democra-

cies—reason, freedom, human dignity, and the worth of the individual. As the

chart on the next page shows, all totalitarian states share basic characteristics.

To dominate an entire nation, totalitarian leaders devised methods of control

and persuasion. These included the use of terror, indoctrination, propaganda,

censorship, and religious or ethnic persecution.

Police Terror Dictators of totalitarian states use terror and violence to force obe-

dience and to crush opposition. Normally, the police are expected to respond to

criminal activity and protect the citizens. In a totalitarian state, the police serve

to enforce the central government’s policies. They may do this by spying on the

citizens or by intimidating them. Sometimes they use brutal force and even mur-

der to achieve their goals.

Indoctrination Totalitarian states rely on indoctrination—instruction in the gov-

ernment’s beliefs—to mold people’s minds. Control of education is absolutely

essential to glorify the leader and his policies and to convince all citizens that their unconditional loyalty and support are

required. Indoctrination begins with very

young children, is encouraged by youth

groups, and is strongly enforced by schools.

Propaganda and Censorship Totalitarian

states spread propaganda, biased or incom-

plete information used to sway people to

accept certain beliefs or actions. Control of

all mass media allows this to happen. No

publication, film, art, or music is allowed to

exist without the permission of the state.

Citizens are surrounded with false informa-

tion that appears to be true. Suggesting that

the information is incorrect is considered

an act of treason and severely punished.

Individuals who dissent must retract their

work or they are imprisoned or killed.

Religious or Ethnic Persecution Totali-

tarian leaders often create “enemies of the state” to blame for things that go wrong.

Frequently these enemies are members of religious or ethnic groups. Often these

groups are easily identified and are subjected to campaigns of terror and violence.

They may be forced to live in certain areas or are subjected to rules that apply only

to them.