Ideas of Totalitarian Governments
Totalitarianism governments are similar to dictatorships and fascist governments in their ideology and the power they give to their leaders. However, totalitarianism differs from other governments in that the government typically focuses on one goal. These governments are considered cruel and unfair by most people and typically infringe on the personal freedoms of their citizens.
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Strong, Central Government
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All totalitarian governments are based on the idea that government is supreme. The government is in charge of all social, political and business organizations and demands control and respect. Most of these governments are centralized, which requires a powerful capital city with numerous government officials. Typically, totalitarian governments seize control in the name of a specific goal, such as racial purity or ending terrorism. In most cases, these goals are held up as ideals and will never actually be accomplished.
Social Institutions
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During most totalitarian rules, social institutions are swept aside in favor of government institutions. In more lenient governments, organizations are discouraged rather than forbidden while moderately strict governments may discourage and suppress social groups. Typically, these social groups include causes such as women's rights, youth groups, religious organizations and any other organization with an ideology that does not conform to the ideology of the state. Totalitarian governments might put a stop to social traditions, such as weddings and funerals.
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Censorship
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In order to seize control of public opinion, totalitarian governments must censor media outlets such as newspapers, books, TV shows and movies. Many times, the government seizes control of a media outlet, making it impossible to publish stories that reveal government failures. The government may suppress any anti-government editorials or make it illegal to criticize the government. These governments often use the media to convince citizens that problems do not exist. They might put out propaganda films or videos or fill the schools with revised history text books that fail to address any black spots in the history of the nation.
Police and Violence
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The condition of a totalitarian government is often referred to as a police state. Police in a totalitarian state often operate under rules and regulations that are unknown to the public and might engage against violence against nonviolent dissenters or protesters. Large-scale violence is common in totalitarian regimes and might include attacks on social groups, assassination of those who previously held power or the elimination of people who wield influence and refuse to bend to the will of the government. The leader of the government is considered the leader of the police and can order violence or attacks without asking other government organizations for permission.
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References
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