Totalitarianism vs Authoritarianism
Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism are two types of dictatorship form of government with some difference between the two. As a matter of fact both these forms of governance are opposed to the democratic form of government in the sense that the democratic form of government has the power in the hands of people, whereas totalitarianism and authoritarianism forms of government have the power in the hands of an individual. When put like this, both these types appear in nature to be like the dictatorship form of governance. However, there are some differences between the two forms of government, namely, totalitarianism and authoritarianism.
What is Authoritarianism?
The authoritarianism form of regime is characterized by the rule of one person or a committee that wields the entire power of governance. However, is authoritarianism, social and economic institutions that are not under government control exist. The single person in authoritarianism is called the dictator. A dictator creates a sense of fear in the minds of those that oppose him in the authoritarianism form of regime. He rewards such as those who show loyalty towards him and his leadership. In short, it can be said that there is an element of fear in the minds of people all through the leadership in the authoritarianism form of regime. Moreover, the single ruler in the authoritative form of governance aims at exercising supreme control over people as an individualist. He cashes on the assistance provided by political parties and mass organizations to make people follow him. He uses his power more than the totalitarian. In short, an authoritarian can simply be described as a power hungry dictator.
Mister President: Manuel José Estrada Cabrera, Dictator of Guatemala (1898–1920)
What is Totalitarianism?
On the other hand, totalitarianism is a complete form or an extreme form of authoritarianism. Everything is totally under the control of the single person called the dictator in the totalitarianism form of governance. In other words, it can be said that both the social and economic aspects of the country are also under the control of the government. To put it in another way, the totalitarian himself handles both these aspects. A notable fact about totalitarianism is that in the totalitarianism form of regime the dictator enjoys the charisma about him in the minds of the people. He does not impose fear in the minds of those that oppose him. That means, unlike authoritarianism, there is no fear in the minds of people all through the leadership in the totalitarianism form of regime. The single ruler in the totalitarianism form of governance tries his best to save the people and all his schemes are aimed at the safety and the well-being of the people. Moreover, the totalitarian is a complete ideologist. His only aim is to officiate as a dictator by maintaining charisma about him felt by the people. That is to say, when considering the method of functioning, the totalitarian gets the appreciation of the people by virtue of his sheer prophetic leadership. People automatically follow him being pulled by the power of his leadership.
What is the difference between Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism?
• Both totalitarianism and authoritarianism fall under dictatorship of governance.
• The authoritarianism form of regime is characterized by the rule of one person or a committee that wields the entire power of governance.
• Totalitarianism is an extreme form of authoritarianism.
• In authoritarianism, social and economic institutions exist outside the control of the government. Such is not the case with totalitarianism. The government controls everything.
• A leader in authoritarianism controls the people using fear and favouration. Fear to stop people from betraying him and favouration for those, who help him.
• In totalitarianism, the leader is automatically followed by the people due to his charisma.
Images Courtesy: Mister President: Manuel José Estrada Cabrera, Dictator of Guatemala (1898–1920) via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
