Origins of Totalitarianism

Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) analyzes the rise of totalitarian regimes, viewing them as a consequence of the nation-state's disintegration. Arendt argued that totalitarian governments, driven by a quest for raw power, fundamentally altered social structures, making political outcomes unpredictable.12

The work examines 19th-century antisemitism, imperialism, and racism as precursors to totalitarianism. Totalitarianism itself is defined as a form of government that permits no individual freedom, subordinating all aspects of life to the state's authority. These regimes suppress traditional institutions, foster conformity, and utilize organized violence, often targeting specific groups, to maintain control and advance their ideology.12