Pros And Cons Of Totalitarianism

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Frank W. Elwell (2015) discussed Robert A. Nisbet’s views surrounding the emergence of new totalitarianism, and how this new form of totalitarianism can be distinguished from previous forms of totalitarianism. Elwell (2013) defined totalitarianism as an, “authoritarian government that attempts to regulate every aspect of sociocultural life” (Glossary of the Social). Considering this, all forms of totalitarianism attempt to dictate much of social life. Elwell (2015) highlighted how Nisbet emphasized the incompatible relations between democracy and bureaucracy (p. 182). Specifically, Elwell (2015) claimed that Nisbet believed, “democracy promotes bureaucracy” (p. 182). This is because complex societies increasingly rely upon the functional purposes …show more content…
This has resulted in an illusion that has been referred to as a “softening of power,” which disguises the intentions and power of the State (Elwell, 2013). Elwell contended that older forms of totalitarianism proved ineffective while relying on overt, forceful techniques to control their populations. Consequences of such tactics included supplying populations with an opposing target, wasting resources on policing or regulating individuals, and repressing ingenuity, for example. On the other hand, new totalitarianism conducts itself in an effectual manner while manipulating the masses through methods associated with innovations and advances in technology and science. Nisbet believed that the power of previous totalitarian regimes was inferior to the power that has been attained through the bureaucratization of the State. The power and intentions associated with new totalitarianism are disguised through efforts that appear to focus on a variety of humanitarian concerns. In summary, new totalitarianism aims to regulate and organize populations through covert, manipulative practices associated with advanced scientific and technological methods. From here, the internalization of State’s desires is provoked and permeated throughout the American population in a manner that is covert and invisible, as opposed to traditional forms of