The Good and Bad in the World
(A discussion on totalitarian governments today) Everywhere we look, there is good and bad; without one, we can’t fully appreciate the other. Black balances out white, good balances out bad, etc. This is seen throughout the world in people, places, and even in governments. When looking at negative governments, totalitarianism is commonly thought of. Totalitarianism is the concept where the state has total authority over a society and holds control of all aspects of life. This type of governments is introduced to us through Hannah Arendt’s work. Arendt was born and educated in Germany. She was a very influential writer as many of her works discussed topics of government, moral values, modern society, and
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The leader of a totalitarian government needs to have immense power and followers that are loyal to him, Bin Laden had this. He formed Al-Qaeda in the early 90’s, ran terrorist training camps, and then later received protection from the Taliban-controlled government. He had the power and knowledge to run the country. He not only had control over his country, but also of dozens around the world. Hannah Arendt discusses in her work some of the characteristics of a leader in a totalitarian government. One of the main goals of this leader is world domination. Although it may sound childish, the leader looks to gain control over not only his own country, but of countries around the world. Jeffrey D. McCausland is quoted saying, “Bin Laden owes his ability to establish terrorist cells in more than 60 countries to the technologies that symbolize the emerging global environment…he spread his ideas through the global media,” (McCausland). From this quote, we understand that a leader of a totalitarian government, like the one in Iraq, ultimately wants to gain control over several countries, but also needs to know how to do so. We are living in a time where everything is communicated through the media, and the use of this media to gain control over countries proves …show more content…
Gaining control of your country, and other countries, is only part of totalitarianism; keeping that control is important if you want to stay in power. Arendt discusses with her audience what lies behind ideology and how groups, like Al-Qaeda, obtain what they are looking for. In an article, written by Young-Bruehl, Elisabeth, Kohn and Jerome, the authors discuss ideology and interpret what Hannah Arendt was saying in her work of The Origins of Totalitarianism. “Comparable to what a principle of action is in other forms of government… in Arendt's terms, the basic, the fundamental untruth of such a regime, expressing its contempt for the factuality of the world,” (Young-Bruehl, Elisabeth, Kohn, Jerome). From this excerpt, it is understood that the people who are governed by an ideology are set out of fulfilling what their leader instructs. For instance, in the past ideologists have been obsessed with ridding the world of a certain race or religion of people. In Iraq, the ideology is a little bit different, their focus deals with terrorism. As stated earlier, the main goal of totalitarianism is to gain control, usually globally. For this to happen, the faithful followers of the leader will do whatever it takes to make this happen, in this case terrorism. George P. Schultz, in his article, discusses the repercussions of terrorism, “When terrorism succeeds in intimidating governments into altering their foreign
Saddam was trying to make the people fear him using terror, “His rule is based on fear”. He wanted the people to obey him without thinking and without saying no on anything he does believing that he has a divine power. But because he used terror to be respected by everyone he was decieved a lot, sometimes his subordinates lied and did not tell him the truth because they were afraid of getting mad and turing against them, so they would just tell him what he wants to hear. Even his guards were not loyal to him not because they wanted to but becasue they feared him “Their loyalty is governed by fear and self-interest, and will tilt decisively if and when an alternative appears.” Saddam was very suspicious he did not trust anyone and he was also weak but he never wanted to show it, for that he was trying to appear strong and powerful to hide his weakness and insecurity. From the things he used to hide his weaknesses was brutality and violence. An example that shows his savagery was when he wanted to capture U.S. soldiers and tie them up around Iraqi tanks to use them as human shields during the war over Kuwait. This actually shows that he knew he made the wrong decision in invading Kuwait but he did not want to admit it infront of anyone, so he was trying to find any solution that could make them win instead of taking the blame for their defeat. And here one can notices that fear and brutality kind of overlap or connect to each other, because Saddam used violence to make everyone fear him, a good example on that would be when Saddam’s regime accused some people of taking bribe and sentenced them to die, the colleagues, families and friends of those people were ordered to attend their hanging and everyone was compelled to attend because they knew that refusal could turn suspicion on them and end up hanged like
The outcomes of government and leader dictatorship in totalitarian societies such as allegiance to the government, collectivism among the people, and the practice of eugenics encourage different living arrangement in those societies. Dictatorial leaders favor the separation of children from their parents and families because it becomes easier to do all of the things mentioned before. Loyalty and allegiance to the government lets the government manipulate the society. Collectivism eliminates any differences among the citizens of the society and separation of children from their families allows that to happen even more further. Lastly, the separation of people helps the government practice the act of eugenics and create a better, or worse, human race if they desire to do so.
Inverted totalitarianism is a termed made by political philosopher Sheldon Wolin to describe the emerging form of government of the United States. Wolin believed that the United States is increasingly turning into a partial democracy. He used the term “inverted totalitarianism” to illustrate the similarities and differences between the United States governmental system and totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany with Hitler and Stalinist Soviet Union. Wolin central points are how are government is highly managed, money-saturated elections, the lobby-infested Congress, the imperial presidency, the class-biased judicial, the penal system, and the media. Inverted totalitarianism is different from traditional forms of totalitarianism. It doesn't
Totalitarianism can be defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the centralized control by an autocratic authority. The leaders of these societies are obsessed with complete control and will take whatever steps are necessary to reach such a goal. In many totalitarian societies, children are separated from their families. This is enforced on the citizens because rulers want them to be loyal to the government. Such living arrangements can be portrayed in Ayn Rand’s novel, Anthem.
In the same instance, O’Brien heavily implies that other totalitarian states, even if shallowly good-natured, ultimately exist for the same reason that the Party exists; to gain power and self-replicate. O’Brien explicitly names Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, the largest totalitarian states of Orwell’s time, stating that “they never had the courage to recognize their own motives. They pretended, and perhaps even believed, that they seized power unwillingly and for a limited time, and around the corner there lay a paradise where human beings would be free and equal.” (185) Here, Orwell is making a direct appeal through the voice of O’Brien, stating that totalitarianism is by nature self-serving. While political revolution could start with the greater good in mind, the installation of a totalitarian government allows government to become completely self-serving, leading the state away from defending the original purpose of revolution. Orwell’s point is demonstrated throughout history; for example, in Soviet Russia, a regime originally enacted under the stated purpose to benefit the proletariat and peasant classes, ended up diverting resources from peasants and using them to benefit an elite political class. Thus, totalitarianism, which is unrestrained government taken to an excess, by nature becomes
...er contributions to society to a 5 page paper. She did amazing things to improve society as a whole. During her lifetime she was an, author, philosopher, women and children’s rights activist, humanitarian, scholar, sociologist, social worker, social leader, and founder of many programs still in place today. Her ideas continue to influence social, political and economic reform all over the world. I think it would be fair to say it is a blessing she was born in a time that made her type of work more difficult. She worked tirelessly to produce much needed changes that we benefit from today. Often times as Americans we take for granted the freedoms and protections are given to us, not taking into consideration the backbone that was necessary to make them happen. I am thankful for the opportunity to study and become more familiar with such an amazing woman of history.
... towards the enemies of the government helps fear remain an effective governing force. An example today of a totalitarian regime that uses fear to control is Iraq. The leader Saddam Hussein gained his power and maintains his regime by performing brutal acts to his enemies to instill fear in his population. The fear and oppression he places on his people make thousands of them support religious ideals. During his presidential election Saddam received a hundred percent of the population votes in his favor. The majority of the Iraqis that voted for Saddam would vote against him if they did not fear Saddam's secret police. Lastly in Iraq people are paranoid to speak out against the government because of fear of punishment and death by the secret police. Since Iraq is a totalitarian government run by fear the people will only become more untrustworthy and isolated.
In many real and fictionalized totalitarian societies, children live apart from their families. I believe that dictatorial leaders enforced this living arrangement because they don’t want parents to influence their children, to make sure people are loyal to the society, and to maintain everyone equal. They do this so that they have total control over their society.
Firstly, perhaps no book has linked animals to human counterparts better than Animal Farm. Orwell's beasts serve as a representation of important characters of the World War II era and beyond. For example, Karl Marx, the inventor of the communist movement, was represented by Old Major, the most important animal on the farm until his death. Much like Old Major, Marx was a visionary who dreamed of equality. Old Major states:"Is it not crystal clear, then, comrades, that all the evils of this life of ours spring from the tyranny of human beings? Only get rid of Man, and the produce of our labour would be our own. Almost overnight we could become rich and free. What then must we do? Why, work night and day, body and soul, for the overthrow of the human race! That is my message to you, comrades: Rebellion!"(Orwell, Animal Farm, 30). In addition, he inspired the Russian Social Democratic Leader Party, led by rivals Joseph Stalin and Leon Trostky. Napoleon is represented by Joseph Stalin and much like him, he builds loyalties within the communist party ( pigs and dogs) so that he can overthrow Snowball (Trostky). Snowball displaying similar traits with Trotsky in the fact that they both fight bravely in their respective battles. Trotsky was an important component to the victory in the Russian civil war, Snowball displaying this bravery during the battle of the cowshed. The hens, geese, and sheep that are executed are a representation of the millions who opposed Stalin's, and who are killed banished as a result. The hens and geese are not known for their docile natures, and serve as perfect rebels . As well, the pigs' metamorphosis of their face and behaviour is symbolic of the transition of a government initially for the people, into ...
Furthermore, a totalitarianism based government is a dictatorship, on in which the dictator is not limited by constitutional laws or further opposition. "Big Brother is watching you" (Orwell 3). Why is Big Brother so concerned with the surveillance of its citizens? In 1984 the journey of one individual, Winston Smith is narrated. His life characterizes the recklessness and deprivation of totalitarian...
In a totalitarian state, the party leadership maintains monopoly control over the governmental system, which includes the police, military, communications, and economic and education systems. It was not secret and was much feared. Terror atomised the nation, people thought the Gestapo was everywhere but in fact there were a very small number. The Gestapo controlled concentration camps. The Nazi government achieved their power through fear from the terror of the SS and Gestapo, and the feared Police State is a characteristic of totalitarian States.
...inical work that eventually helped launch humanistic psychology. Other contributions that she is known for include the measurements of development she created such as intelligence and developmental tests, interpretation of diaries, and research with free play that is still used today in different fields, one of which is education. Her work was also was greatly used to create the social work principles that are used today.
Her works deal with nature of power, and the subjects of politics, direct democracy, authority, and totalitarianism. (en.wikipedia.com) In The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt wrote about the rise of anti-Semitism, in the Central and Western Europe in the 1800s. Hannah Arendt was a Jewish
... she addressed many problems of her time in her writings. She was an inspirational person for the feminism movements. In fact, she awoke women’s awareness about their rights and freedom of choice. She was really a great woman.
the worst form of government, except for all the others that have been tried from time to time." -