For those of us who want to know the distinctions between different forms of totalitarianism, I have prepared a short summary some of us may find useful.
- Orwell: His version of totalitarianism is one which rules with an iron hand and does not tolerate any deviation from what Big Brother lays out.
- Huxley: His version is more nuanced.It makes the case that people who are spoiled with convenience, entertainment,luxury and drugs or alcohol, would be upset if they were granted freedom.They want tyranny!
- The Soviets: Their version was similar to Orwell’s with a twist that they were bad at providing the minimum needs of their populations.
- The Nazis: Their version was to annihilate the Untermenschen and oppress the Ubermenschen.So you are between the devil and the deep sea.
- Saint Jeanne Kirkpatrick: The rightwing Joan of Arc believes that authoritarian regimes ( that is rightwing dictators like Pinochet) are preferable to totalitarian regimes like Castro’s.Her contention is that for common people,economic needs and stability are what matter most.The totalitarians are bad at providing these conditions.
- Chinese Communism: Their version demands obedience , but this obedience is given a Chinese twist in that ancient Chinese wisdom from Confucius forward requires it.
7.Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld: This form of totalitarianism has no parallel.In this version, the Big Man is entitled to lie to the small people.He is entitled to change his mind any time about any topic.He leaves all institutions in place to give himself a democratic veneer but disables them when it suits him. The Press, the Judiciary, the Legislature are all there to serve him.He uses technology to make elections come out with a result that is favorable to him.He uses tax resources to buy off the loyalty of industry and business.He has no use for old fashioned notions of law, order,justice fairplay etc.People do not matter.Only those who serve his needs and are utterly loyal are rewarded.Qualifications and competence are of secondary importance, if at all.Appearances are everything.Propaganda is used to pacify populations.Religion is a mind control device.War or threats of war are constantly needed to maintain control of the people.Religion, race,class are all devices used to divide and conquer. Deliberate impoverishment of the people is an unstated goal.
I think I have exhausted my inventory of totalitarianism.If any other reader has anything else to add with more esoteric varieties, I will appreciate it.