What does totalitarian mean?
Totalitarian describes a political system or regime in which authority is centralized to an extreme degree and organized opposition is prohibited. The word applies particularly to governments that control or threaten political pluralism, independent institutions, and civil liberties, although it is also used more broadly for uncompromising demands for absolute allegiance. As an adjective, “totalitarian” characterizes institutions, policies, or movements; as a noun, it can denote a totalitarian person or, less commonly, a system. In modern English, the term is strongly political and evaluative. It differs from “authoritarian,” which primarily means concentrated power and strict control but does not necessarily imply the same all-encompassing suppression of opposition. “Totalitarian” is therefore most useful when describing a regime or ideology that permits no meaningful rival center of power and seeks to penetrate public life comprehensively. It remains a central term in political and historical analysis of fascism, communism, and other extreme regimes.
Characterized by extreme centralization of authority, suppression of opposition, and demands for complete political submission.
"The authoritarian government developed increasingly totalitarian controls over education, media, and political organization."
A person who supports or practices a political system characterized by total centralized control and the exclusion of meaningful opposition.
"The dissident accused the military rulers of being totalitarians who had made dissent a crime."
The plural is normally used for multiple people who advocate or embody totalitarian rule. For the system or doctrine itself, totalitarianism is generally preferred.
"The two totalitarians silenced every opposition newspaper."
“Totalitarian” entered English in the 1930s, when fears of fascism and communism gave political science one of its most enduring warning labels.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does totalitarian come from?
The English word emerged in the 1930s by combining the stem total with the suffix -itarian. Total derives from Latin tōtālis, meaning “entire” or “whole,” from tōtus, meaning “all.” Related English forms include totality and totalism, the latter being a chiefly British alternative noun for totalitarianism.
Related word forms
How totalitarian is actually used
The word is formal, strongly evaluative, and chiefly political. As a noun, it can denote a person, although totalitarianism is usually preferred when referring to the system, doctrine, or movement itself.
Easily confused with totalitarian
Authoritarian describes concentrated power and strict control, whereas totalitarian implies a more comprehensive system that eliminates meaningful political pluralism and opposition.