Totalitarianism and Ideological Hubris
Totalitarianism and Ideological Hubris

Author(s): Vladimir Tismăneanu
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, History
Published by: Central European University Press
Keywords: Totalitarianism;political radicalism
Summary/Abstract: The main pillars of totalitarianism were the monopolistic party, the ideological utopian project, and the leader. Totalitarianism was also based on direct or indirect terror. The secret police was the instrument that maintained the population in a state of universal fear, distrust, and suspicion. Even if the concept has been criticized, sometimes justifiably, for its neglect of societal components and everyday life under ideocratic regimes, it still has an impressive descriptive force. Totalitarian regimes yearned for the establishment of “perfect societies” and engaged in endless campaigns to achieve their goals. In this chapter, I map out the main features of these new forms of political radicalism, looking for both similarities and differences.

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