After World War I and the Great Depression, societies were more receptive to these ideas. Arendt also argues that the bourgeoisie’s rise in power eroded the political realm as a space for freedom and deliberative consensus and contributed to the amenability of populations to totalitarianism.Īccording to Arendt, the appeal of totalitarian ideologies is their ability to present a clear idea that promises protection from insecurity and danger. Arendt states that modern totalitarian regimes used alleged laws of history and nature that noted for example, the inevitability of war between chosen and lesser races, to justify terror. Arendt argues that, for modern totalitarian regimes, terror is not a means to an end, but an end in itself. Totalitarian terror is used indiscriminately it is directed at enemies of the regime and obedient followers without distinction. In fact, Arendt argues that totalitarianism is significantly less likely to originate in locations with small populations.Īrendt also argues that modern totalitarian regimes are defined by their use of terror. Totalitarian governments strive for global rule and are distinguished by their successful organization of the masses.

Totalitarian governments are characterized by their replacement of all prior traditions and political institutions with new ones that serve the specific and singular goal of the totalitarian state. Dictatorships can be totalitarian, but they are not inherently totalitarian.

Arendt rejects the notion that a dictatorship is necessarily totalitarian. Arendt also argues that scholars and leaders have mistakenly equated nationalism and imperialism. Arendt argues that the origins of totalitarianism in the twentieth century have been too simplistically attributed to nationalism, and totalitarianism has been too easily defined as a government characterized by authoritative single-party rule.

Arendt totalitarianism sparknotes