Totalitarianism vs Authoritarianism . Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. Be sure to check out our other videos for any of your study questions. Authoritarian and authoritative parenting are two of the four famous Baumrind parenting styles. It is regarded as the most extreme and complete form of authoritarianism. But their differing levels of responsiveness is what truly separates these parenting styles. Their power is unrestrained, and they answer to no one. In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. Generally they assume power, and are not elected by the people. While the People’s Republic of China under Chairman Mao Zedong was considered a totalitarian state, modern-day China is more accurately described as an authoritarian state because its citizens are now allowed some limited personal freedoms. Hey there! Totalitarianism, Authoritarianism, and Fascism. Definition and Examples, What Makes a Ruler a Dictator? By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. To put it in another way, the totalitarian himself handles both these aspects. As a matter of fact both these forms of governance are opposed to the democratic form of government in the sense that the democratic form of government has the power in the hands of people, whereas totalitarianism and authoritarianism forms of government have the power in the hands of an individual. Let’s start off by defining the two. Authoritarianism is the opposite of individualism in democracy, marked by submission to authority. Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler in Munich, Germany September 1937. Definition and List of Dictators, Federalism and the United States Constitution, Countries in Africa Considered Never Colonized, What Is a Failed State? The exact opposite of this type of leadership in the government is the authoritarian and the totalitarian type of governance. In a totalitarian state, the government’s range of control over the people is virtually unlimited. In short, it can be said that there is an element of fear in the minds of people all through the leadership in the authoritarianism form of regime. In other words, it can be said that both the social and economic aspects of the country are also under the control of the government. They attempted to spin it positively by referring to what they considered totalitarianism’s “positive goals” for society. In authoritarian government systems the political power is condensed into one authority figure or figures. In this system, the political power is condensed into one authority figure, who has unchecked power. I hope this was helpful in distinguishing the difference. The main difference between totalitarian and authoritarian is that the totalitarian regimes exert total control over the lives and freedoms of citizens while the authoritarian regimes give certain individual freedoms to citizens.. Totalitarianism and authoritarianism are two forms of government types in the world. Today, I will define Totalitarianism, and Authoritarianism. This video goes into detail about the similarities and differences between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Drawing on those experiences, fascist rulers strive to create a rabidly nationalistic culture of “military citizenship” in which all citizens are willing and prepared to take on some military duties during times of war, including actual combat. Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism are two types of dictatorship form of government with some difference between the two. This control extends to all political and financial matters as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people. Democracy means freedom of the people in a nation to choose. That is to say, when considering the method of functioning, the totalitarian gets the appreciation of the people by virtue of his sheer prophetic leadership. by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: October 17, 2019. He uses his power more than the totalitarian. Definition and Main Theorists, Biography of Benito Mussolini, Fascist Dictator of Italy, 5 Examples of Institutional Racism in the United States, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook, The presence of a single ruling political party, Strict censorship, if not total control of the press, Constant dissemination of pro-government propaganda, Mandatory service in the military for all citizens, Prohibition of certain religious or political groups and practices, Prohibition of any form of public criticism of the government, Laws enforced by secret police forces or the military, Limited political freedom with strict government controls imposed on political institutions and groups like legislatures, political parties, and interest groups, A controlling regime that justifies itself to the people as a “necessary evil” uniquely capable of coping with “easily recognizable societal problems” such as hunger, poverty, and violent insurgency, Strict government-imposed constraints on social freedoms such as suppression of political opponents and anti-regime activity, The presence of a ruling executive with vague, shifting, and loosely-defined powers. Everything is totally under the control of the single person called the dictator in the totalitarianism form of governance. He went beyond political rule, and sought control over what people believed, and even what race he thought people should be. Rather than trying to allay that fear, totalitarian rulers encourage it and use it to ensure the people’s cooperation. A notable fact about totalitarianism is that in the totalitarianism form of regime the dictator enjoys the charisma about him in the minds of the people. Linz identified the two most basic subtypes as traditional authoritarian regimes and bureaucratic-military authoritarian regimes: Rarely employed since the end of World War II in 1945, fascism is a form of government combining the most extreme aspects of both totalitarianism and authoritarianism. Still, most Western civilizations and governments quickly rejected the concept of totalitarianism and continue to do so today. This video goes into detail about the similarities and differences between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. The single ruler in the totalitarianism form of governance tries his best to save the people and all his schemes are aimed at the safety and the well-being of the people. Totalitarian Vs. Authoritarian Governments. Such is not the case with totalitarianism. Authoritarianism is the opposite of individualism in democracy, marked by submission to authority. More recent examples of totalitarian states include Iraq under Saddam Hussein and North Korea under Kim Jong-un. He does not impose fear in the minds of those that oppose him. Totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and fascism are all forms of government—and defining different forms of government isn't as easy as it might seem. They also consider a totalitarian, one-party state as the key to preparing the nation for war and its resulting economic and social hardships. Instead, the label is more often used pejoratively by those critical of particular governments or leaders.