What is an authoritarian or single party state?

Yertle the Turtle Message: Government rely on the support of the people

Brainstorm the ways that government’s control their citizens

Characteristics States restrict individual liberties to ensure the well being/rule in the interest of the state A state (country) with one powerful leader An official ideology imposed by the state, with no alternative viewpoints. An official plan that covers a large aspects of life (public and personal) A single mass party that represents a small percentage of the entire population. Usually very committed to the party and the implementation of the plan

Characteristics A government monopoly (total control) of the media and culture, used for propaganda. This also includes religious institutions and schools Government monopoly of the police and military Use of secret police and a vast repressive machinery Government control of all key institutions, such as the army, youth movements and workers organizations No independent rule of law (Government controls judges!) Government control of the economy

The First World War Destroyed many peoples faith in the idea of progress as a natural law of History Undermined Europe’s economic prosperity for at least a generation Treaty of Versailles fuelled nationalism across the continent Emergence of Communism and Fascism

Communism and Fascism Similarities Reactionary Authoritarian Totalitarian - Judicial decision must conform to party ideology Limited freedoms of expression, opinion and speech. One party states Rule by small elite party or by dictatorship No elections or only one choice in elections

Communism and Fascism Differences Communism Theoretical equality of all. Rule in the interest of the individual through the collective Abolition of private property International focus: Elimination of nations to create an international brotherhood of workers Proletarian ownership of the economy. End goal – classless society Location: Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Vietnam,

Fascism Authoritarian right wing Denies Political equality and therefore rejects democracy People are not equal in intelligence, physical strength or moral character Systems of government that hold to the principles of equality are fundamentally flawed A promoter of strength – sacrifice for the good of the state A national movement Power held by one leader (dictator)

Communism and Fascism - Differences Corporate economic state End goal – varies widely between states but aims to eliminate class conflict but retain class structure Historiography – desperate and violent attempt by capitalism to print its own collapse Manifestation of totalitarianism Examples: Nazi Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, Franco’s Spain,