LAGUNDINO, Ellaine, Y.

III-8 BSSE

Philippine Normal University

The National Center for Teacher Education

Taft Ave., Manila

The Distinction Between Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism

For some people who do not extensively study government or politics,

Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism might be the same, worse, some thought it is
interchangeable. But for Social Science Majors, this two system of government are
different and not terms to be exchange. So how this two terms different from each other?

First of all, Totalitarianism is defined as, a system of government where in

it seeks to control all aspects of life of the citizens in a state while Authoritarianism seeks
for the full compliance and submission of the citizens to the authority. Both of this
government are ruled by a single party and can or may lead to a dictatorship, and it shows
that the citizenry have a little or no freedom at all.

A totalitarian regime practices a complete control and mobilization; they

control all aspects of life in the society, it even aims to shape the society as “new man”
that is why it ultimately invades the privacy of the citizens. Just as what is happening in
North Korea, the government controls everything; the mass media, to make sure that the
people learn about the regime and accept it, even the social life of the citizens - they
control how people should live their lives. A totalitarian rule or regime is an extreme type
of government; either an extreme left or extreme right. It totally politicizes the society.

Nurturing Innovative Teachers and Education Leaders

LAGUNDINO, Ellaine, Y. III-8 BSSE

An authoritarian regime only reforms certain aspects of political life and

not all aspects of life. It does not have a penetration power in the society to control almost
everything. An authoritarian rule or regime is usually center to right; neither extreme
right or extreme left.

Now, these two terms have almost the same features, that is why we need a
factor that will distinguish their difference. So, what is the most suitable criterion to
differentiate these two form of government? The distinction of totalitarianism and
authoritarianism is their level of degree. Totalitarianism have a higher degree of control,
coercion and extraction among the state and its people - “total” - it controls all or the total
aspects of life, it penetrates even the private lives of individuals and it suppresses
possible opposition to the regime. Authoritarianism has a lesser degree of intensity;
although they have very similar features, authoritarian rule neither have the power to
totally control and penetrate the society for authoritarian regime only controls the
political aspect of social life.

Their distinction is on the manner or level of degree their intensity is.

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