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 Word Forms

• totalitarianist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of totalitarianism¹

First recorded in 1920–25; totalitarian + -ism

Example Sentences

George Orwell’s 1939 novel, “Coming Up for Air,” tells the story of an unremarkable suburban London householder who is seized with a feeling of overwhelming dread by the looming terrors of war and totalitarianism.

From Salon

And it’s heartening to see him still on the road, laying into what he sees as the creep of totalitarianism every night in his eighth decade of life.

From Los Angeles Times

As I have previously described, millions of potential followers of totalitarianism in America have taken mental refuge in a shallow cynicism that is actually a disguise for extreme gullibility.

From Salon

“To look at this video and see what happened reeks — reeks — of totalitarianism. This is not what democracies do.”

From Los Angeles Times

The works of Hannah Arendt on totalitarianism and obedience are essential readings as well, especially her classic book On the Origins of Totalitarianism.

From Salon

Related Words

• authoritarianism www.thesaurus.com
• autocracy 
• despotism 
• tyranny