Totalitarianism is a political system that disallows any opposition to its authority and exhibits an extreme level of control over the lives of its citizens. Totalitarian states are typically controlled by singular rulers or small groups of autocrats who hold complete control over their governments and, correspondingly, the lives of those who live subject to that government’s rule. Leaders of totalitarian regimes are often dictators or absolute monarchs invested with authority that cannot be challenged by any other body within that government.

Totalitarianism is frequently considered a modernist governmental form, and the origin of its roots is still heavily debated among academics. Totalitarian states can emerge on both the extreme left and the extreme right wings of the political spectrum. The USSR’s Joseph Stalin, for example, is often considered a far-left totalitarian dictator, while Italian fascist Benito Mussolini and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler are both examples of far-right totalitarian dictators.

Totalitarian regimes differ from authoritarian regimes in that authoritarian states seek to control only political power, while totalitarian regimes seek to control all aspects of the lives of their subjects, including educational, economic, religious, and social spheres. The ideals of totalitarian states are promoted using propaganda—often circulated by state-controlled media—which may be the only form of media or news made legally accessible to citizens.