The Rise of Totalitarianism A review of 20th c. ideologies: totalitarianism, Fascism, Nazism, communism

TOTALITARIANISM

DEFINITION one-party dictatorship that regulates every aspect of citizens’ lives; everything is subordinated totally to the state Similar (but not the same!) terms: dictatorship, authoritarianism, autocracy, absolutism Totalitarianism is a 20th c. ideology. Does not apply to regimes prior to the 20th c. It is also used sparingly. Totalitarian regimes are more repressive of pluralism (multiple political parties) and political rights than authoritarian regimes “Totalitarianism” applied so sparingly that Mussolini’s Italy isn’t included - ways in which Mussolini’s Italy didn’t have total control: Catholic Church still played an important role Other parties still existed (state more pluralistic than USSR or Germany) King still existed as a figurehead (Victor Emmanuel III) “Everything” subordinated to state, examples: Economy - varying policies, but state exercised some control Arts - socialist realism as official art form in USSR; Hitler condemned modern art (Jewish influence) and jazz (African) + glorified German myths (Wagner) + burned books (ex. All Quiet on the Western Front - insult to German military) Religion - communism = atheism + Stalin tore down churches; Hitler aimed to replace religion with his racial ideology, he didn’t eliminate religion but did combine all Protestant denominations into one state church and persecuted Catholics

CHARACTERISTICS Single-party state Demands unquestioning obedience to single leader State control of economy (not necessarily communism) Secret police / terror Censorship & government monopoly of media Propaganda - through schools & media Strong military Leader tries to convince people he is democratic or has democratic support Youth, professional, cultural, sports groups Economic policies: USSR - communism Italy - corporatism nationalization of industry + planned rational economy = leave some autonomy, but don’t allow conflicts such as strikes corporatism = economy with system of guilds and industries (public and private); people are trained in one industry and stay there; pre-individualist (more community-oriented) Germany - no specific economic philosophy, no clearly defined economic program (economics of secondary importance to Hitler). The economy did improve under Hitler - policies: public works programs - ex. Building highways and housing, replanting forests rearmament → helped the economy too preserved capitalism/big business and labor under government control

“TOTALITARIANISM OF THE LEFT” “TOTALITARIANISM OF THE RIGHT” “LEFT” VS. “RIGHT” “TOTALITARIANISM OF THE LEFT” “TOTALITARIANISM OF THE RIGHT” Communism Fascism & Nazism Collective ownership of wealth Private ownership of wealth Internationalist Nationalist Arise in undeveloped countries Arise in developed countries Working class support Middle class support Ex: USSR under Stalin, China under Mao Ex: Germany under Hitler, Italy under Mussolini

THE TRADITIONAL LINEAR SPECTRUM

THE TRADITIONAL LINEAR SPECTRUM

THE HORSESHOE SPECTRUM

THE PIE-SHAPED SPECTRUM

4 QUADRANT POLITICAL SPECTRUM

FASCISM

DEBATE OVER THE DEFINITION When it arose 1 or more Right or left? (1920 shift) Intense debate over how to define fascism (no agreement on the definition) Some argue it arose with WWI, but others argue that it existed before WWI Are there fascismS (more than one) or just Italian Fascism - can others be considered fascist too Is fascism on the right on on the left? Mussolini began on the left (socialism), but moved toward the right (fascism became anti-socialist) Fascism has been compared to conservatism, totalitarianism, Bolshevism. However, Fascists regarded themselves as something altogether new and unto themselves.

POLITICAL DOCTRINE VS. ACTION No inherent ideological doctrine. Mussolini believed in action prior to doctrine; the movement should never be sacrificed to its principles. Mussolini’s movement was therefore driven by pragmatism rather than principles.

DEFINITION (AS BEST IT CAN BE) Anti- … socialist, communist, radical, democratic, republican, feminism, liberal, conservative Pro- … nationalism, volunteerism Organization: emphasis on political symbols and choreography; mass party militia; use of violence; youth movement; dynamic, charismatic leader Not essentially racist (1) fascism consists of a series of negations: anti-socialist anti-communist anti-radical anti-democratic anti-republican anti-feminism anti-liberal anti-conservative (2) what fascism is for: new nationalist authoritarian state - devotion to the state (vs. communists advocated devotion to class, transcending national borders) importance of the will, volunteerism (new, self-created fascist man) (3) tension between the movement and the leader (4) organization and style are key to defining fascism uniform political choreography, mass party militia willingness to use violence for political ends (5) youth movement - followers very young; leaders younger than leaders of other movements → dynamism (6) fascism capable of using technology and modernity to its advantage (ex. use of radio and film for propaganda) (7) fascism is not essentially racist

NAZISM

NAZISM Germany / Hitler Fascism + racism/anti-Semitism

COMMUNISM

COMMUNISM USSR / Stalin Theory vs. practice