Totalitarianism

Totalitarianism is an ideology rarely espoused, and tends to be a pejorative term applied to societies that the user dislikes. With this in mind, it is thus unwise to take at face value an accusation of "totalitarianism".

Definition

A totalitarian state is a state in which there is no separation between state and society. The state is all-pervasive and centralised, exercising control over every aspect of life, from sexual orientation to cultural activity. The will of the individual is subjected to the will of the state, and all opposing political, cultural, philosophical or religious expressions are suppressed.

Few states have been truly totalitarian, and only one ideology has ever explicitly advocated totalitarianism as a positive force: Fascism.