The Soviet Union as a totalitarian regime

The domination of political control must be all encompassing and commands authority from the public and private lives of citizens to the functions of social and economic institutions in order to be distinguished as a totalitarian state. Through the study of Juan Linz, Hannah Arendt and other political philosophers, we are able to define the Soviet Union under Stalin’s control as a true totalitarian regime. The simultaneous components of the center of power surrounding Stalin and his Central Committee, a Stalinist ideology manipulated from Marxist and Leninist philosophy, and the mobilization of the population to participate in collectivization and the Five-Year Plans are parallel to Linz’s three basic characteristics a totalitarian system: a monistic centre of power, an ruling ideology and an active participation of citizens for social tasks. The terror legitimized by this ideology, the propaganda surrounding Stalin’s “personality cult”, the millions of citizens purged in the 1930’s and the constant fear of internal enemies and surveillance by both the secret police and friends and neighbours defines totalitarianism as Arendt’s “novel form of government.” A totalitarian movement reaches deep into every aspect of society with a monopolized power that attempts to control every citizen's thoughts and actions. It spawns from the myth of total unity or as Stalin describes, unity of a “living organism.” The vision of the party members and citizens must completely align with those of the great leader as they are working towards a collective future and while total immersion is expected, surveillance and terror will promise to oust any hidden dissidents. Stalin as a leader functioned ruthlessly and efficiently to develop the Soviet Union ...

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...d having any rivalling thought. In the example of Nikolai Bukharin, who had once belonged to the Central Committee, his dedication eventually led to his acquiescing guilt to the vague accusations of plotting against Stalin (Service 2004, 355). Even in persecution, Bukharin was dedicated to the Soviet Union declared himself an unwavering Communist: “I’ve been guilty of many things, but I protest with all the strength of my soul against being charged with such things as treason to my homeland.” These so-called opponents are so devoted and loyal to Stalin and the party, they are willing to accept guilt for imaginary crimes. Even in terror, they would still not challenge the regime. Between 1936-1938, in a bid to dispose of all political opponents, Stalin liquidated 98 out of his 139 Central Committee party members and ironically well as the Red Army in the eve of war.