totalitarianism
totalitarianism — noun
1. a way of running a country in which one leader or group holds power over every p
a way of running a country in which one leader or group holds power over every part of life and forbids anyone from speaking or acting against them
Under totalitarianism, the state decided which books Baraka was allowed to read.
under totalitarianism + [the state does X]
Years of totalitarianism taught the villagers to whisper their true opinions only at home.
abstract subject: years of totalitarianism
The history teacher explained how totalitarianism strips ordinary citizens of nearly every freedom.
Omar fled his homeland because totalitarianism had silenced every newspaper and radio station.
The protest movement grew as people slowly lost their fear of totalitarianism.
- authoritarianism
narrower — stresses obedience to authority, but the state may leave private life alone
- despotism
more old-fashioned; centres on one cruel ruler rather than a whole controlling system
- dictatorship
the rule of one person or small group; totalitarianism adds total control over daily life
- democracy
power rests with the people through free elections
- liberalism
stresses individual freedom and limits on state power
用法筆記
Uncountable; typically used with 'under totalitarianism' or as the subject of an abstract claim. Distinguish from a single 'dictatorship': totalitarianism names the broader system in which the state reaches into private life, not just one ruler.