Totalitarianism in Europe – Education and Transformation

totalitarianism, a form of government that theoretically does not allow individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the State. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini coined the term totalitarian in the early 1920s to characterize Italy's new fascist state, which he described as “all within the state, none outside of the state, none against the state.”, totalitarian has become synonymous with an absolute one-party government and oppressive. Other modern examples of totalitarian states include the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, Germany the Nazis under Adolf Hitler, the People's Republic of China under Mao Zedong, and North Korea under the dynasty Kim.

See too: Syrian War.

What is the difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism?

In the broadest sense, totalitarianism is characterized by a strong central rule that tries to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression. Historical examples of such centralized totalitarian government include the Maurya dynasty of India (c. 321-c. 185 BC), the Qin dynasty of China (221-207 BC) and the reign of Zulu chief Shaka (c. 1816–1828).. Nazi Germany (1933-1945) and the Soviet Union during the Stalin era (1924-1953) were the first examples of decentralized or popular totalitarianism, in which the state achieved overwhelming popular support for its leadership. This support was not spontaneous: its genesis depended on a charismatic leader, and was only possible thanks to modern developments in communication and transport.

Totalitarianism is often distinguished from dictatorship, despotism or tyranny by supplanting all political institutions by new ones and by sweeping away all legal, social and political traditions. The totalitarian state pursues some special objective, such as industrialization or conquest, to the exclusion of all others. All resources are directed towards obtaining them, regardless of cost. Whatever it is, further on, the goal is supported; whatever frustrates the goal is rejected. This obsession generates an ideology that explains everything in terms of the objective, rationalizing all the obstacles that may arise and all the forces that the state may face. The resulting popular support allows the state the widest latitude for action of any form of government. Any dissent is considered bad and internal political differences are not allowed. As the pursuit of the goal is the only ideological basis for the totalitarian state, the achievement of the goal can never be recognized.

Under totalitarian rule, traditional social institutions and organizations are discouraged and suppressed. Thus, the social fabric is weakened and people become more receptive to absorption in a single unified movement. Participation in approved public organizations is initially encouraged and then required. Old religious and social ties are superseded by artificial ties to the state and its ideology. As pluralism and individualism decline, most people embrace the ideology of the totalitarian state. Infinite diversity among individuals breaks down, replaced by mass conformity (or at least consent) to state-sanctioned beliefs and behavior.

See too: Democracy in Brazil.

Large-scale organized violence becomes permissible and sometimes necessary under the rule. totalitarian, justified by the primordial commitment to the ideology of the State and the pursuit of the goal of the State. In Nazi Germany and Stalin's Soviet Union, entire classes of people, such as Jews and kulaks (rich peasants), respectively, were singled out for persecution and extinction. In each case, the persecuted were linked to some external enemy and blamed for the problems of the state, and thus public opinion was awakened against them and their fate in the hands of the military and police was forgiven.

Police operations within a totalitarian state often look similar to those within a police state, but one important difference distinguishes them. In a police state, the police operate according to known consistent procedures. In a totalitarian state, the police operate without the restrictions of laws and regulations. Their actions are unpredictable and driven by the whim of their rulers. Under Hitler and Stalin, uncertainty was intertwined in the affairs of the state. The German constitution of the Weimar Republic was never repealed under Hitler, but an enabling act passed by the Reichstag in 1933 allowed it to amend the constitution at will, effectively nullifying it. The role of the legislator has become vested in a person. Likewise, Stalin dedicated a constitution to the Soviet Union in 1936, but never allowed it to become the framework of Soviet law. Instead, he was the final arbiter in the interpretation of Marxism-Leninism-Stalinism and changed his interpretations at will. Neither Hitler nor Stalin allowed change to become predictable, thus increasing the sense of terror among the people and quelling any dissension.

• Stalinism. – After the revolution of 1917 and the death of Lenin this movement started with the leader Josef Stalin. Who guaranteed to eliminate their opponents and stay in power from 1927 to 1953. In the process it ended civil liberties in the country and also contributed to its transformation into an industrial power. However, it established the Gulag, a prison for political crimes.
• Fascism – In Italy with Benito Mussolini, the anti-communist and anti-democratic inspiration made them take him to power. It gradually incorporated and focused on reforming education and attracting adherents among the marginalized. Mussolini's fascist government was a right-wing totalitarian government.
• Nazism – With Hitler as the top figure and beginning in 1933 ended after World War II. It spread anti-Semitic ideas, persecuting and exterminating mainly Jews, but also the physically and intellectually handicapped, Communists and religious.
• Salazarism – It was the regime in Portugal established in 1933, controlled freedom of expression and continued colonialism in Africa. It only ended in 1974 with a Revolution.
• frankism – In Spain with Francisco Franco, with great fascist inspirations and responsible for the Spanish Civil War. The Republicans who were defeated went into exile in France and Mexico. After an undemocratic regime that favored religion.