2. When / where did the word originate?
Originated in 20th century to describe the system of government in:
* fascist Italy
* Nazi German
* Soviet Union

3. So, what is Totalitarianism?
It is a type of government that seeks complete control over the lives of ALL individuals living in society.
Totalitarian states are distinguished from authoritarian states by the degree of control. Authoritarian states– traditional dictatorships—merely wish to maintain a monopoly of political authority (they are unconcerned about what the citizens do in their “private time”).
In a Totalitarian state, there is NO “private time.” The control over the citizens is absolute.

4. What is generally the motivation for this type of rule?
Generally, the “ruler(s)” is motivated by an ideology which he/she deems more important that anything else, including human life.
EXAMPLES:
~ Adolf Hitler’s belief in the destiny of the master race
~ Joseph Stalin’s belief in the inevitable spread of communism

5. Benito Mussolini - -
Mussolini was the first modern totalitarian ruler. All other political parties were outlawed, declaring the Fascist Party as the only legal party. Any organization outside of this was forced to put themselves under state control. “All within the state, none outside the state, none against the state.” Under this system, the individual existed only to serve the state.

6. Stalin and Hitler
While Mussolini was the first, Stalin and Hitler both surpassed him in complete and utter ruthlessness. Clearly, history tells us how their ideologies drove them to take countless lives.

7. So what about now?
In the 21st century, it is difficult to point out any true totalitarian states. Many would say that North Korea, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and Fidel Castro’s Cuba come close.
While totalitarianism is not the threat that it once was, the ideas behind this ideology are constantly being implemented to a degree by oppressive regimes to enforce their rule and abuse their people. Secret police exist in some countries as well as the use of torture in the name of state security.

8. The harsh reality --
An element of totalitarianism exists anywhere the state begins to excessively intrude into the lives of its citizens!
The EXTENT of this intrusion is the real issue. When then President John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address in 1961:
“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
Most people were moved by these words. These same words could easily have been twisted by Hitler and other totalitarian leaders simply by saying that the state is more important.