totalitarianism

[ toh-tal-i-tair-ee-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. the practices and principles of a totalitarian regime.
2. absolute control by the state or a governing branch of a highly centralized institution.
3. the character or quality of an autocratic or authoritarian individual, group, or government:

   the totalitarianism of the father.

totalitarianism

1. Domination by a government of all political, social, and economic activities in a nation. Totalitarianism is a phenomenon of the twentieth century: earlier forms of despotism and autocracy lacked the technical capacity to control every aspect of life. The term is applied both to fascist governments ( see fascism ) and to many forms of communism .

Other Words From

• to·tali·tari·an·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of totalitarianism¹

First recorded in 1920–25; totalitarian + -ism

Example Sentences

This is from Hannah Arendt's "Origins of Totalitarianism":

From Salon

The answer to that question is a resounding “Yes,” but comes with a twist — the romance does not last, as the latter’s privileged background and thirst for revenge combine to make her a more-than-willing instrument for totalitarianism.

From Salon

Dr Alexandra Stein, a social psychologist and author who specialises in cults and totalitarianism, says it is typical "cult-speak".

From BBC

She also wrote that totalitarianism might have a few rough edges, but it was an inevitable wave of the future, to which Americans should submit.

From Salon

Last year the Booker Prize was awarded to Ireland's Paul Lynch for Prophet Song, a dystopian vision of Ireland in the grips of totalitarianism.

From BBC

Related Words

• authoritarianism
• autocracy
• despotism
• tyranny