What is the Difference Between Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism?

Totalitarianism and authoritarianism are both forms of government that discourage individual freedom of thought and action. However, there are key differences between the two:

1. Scope of control: Authoritarianism is characterized by a government having absolute political power and controlling the political sphere, but it generally leaves the people to manage their private lives on their own. Totalitarianism, on the other hand, seeks to control every aspect of the lives of its people, including their thoughts, actions, and social interactions.
2. Guiding ideology: Totalitarian states usually have a highly developed guiding ideology, while authoritarian states typically do not.
3. Social organizations: Totalitarian states suppress traditional social organizations, whereas authoritarian states may tolerate some social organizations based on traditional or special interests.
4. Mobilization: Authoritarian states lack the power to mobilize the entire population in pursuit of national goals, and their actions are usually within relatively predictable limits. Totalitarian states, however, have the capacity to mobilize the entire population and can undertake large-scale actions without as many predictable limits.

In summary, authoritarianism is a system where the government has absolute political power and controls the political sphere, but it allows some private autonomy to its citizens. Totalitarianism, on the other hand, is a system where the government seeks to control every aspect of its citizens' lives, including their thoughts, actions, and social interactions, and has a highly developed guiding ideology.

Comparative Table: Totalitarianism vs Authoritarianism

Here is a table comparing the differences between totalitarianism and authoritarianism:

In summary, totalitarianism is a more extreme form of authoritarianism, seeking to control every aspect of its citizens' lives, including their thoughts and beliefs. In contrast, authoritarianism focuses on absolute political power, allowing some private life and social organizations to exist. Totalitarian states usually have a well-defined ideology, while authoritarian states may not.