Gordon L. Bowen, Ph.D.
Professor,
Political Science and International Relations disciplines
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA USA 24401
email: gbowen@mbc.edu
Totalitarianism is a modern type of political system characterized by:
One Party State: all opposition is banned
Official Ideology: all opposing views are not permitted public expression. Ideology guides the ruling Party.
Politicization of All Associational Groups: pre-existing social organizations are either penetrated and controlled, or banned
Mass Mobilization: rituals through which loyalty to the Party-State are expressed become obligatory
State Command Over Economy: production is at the direction of the Party-State
Rule is carried out through State Violence and Arbitrary Extrajudicial Terror