Final answer:
Totalitarianism defines a political system where the government exerts complete control over all aspects of personal and public life, suppressing any form of dissent and maintaining power through ideology, censorship, and surveillance. Historical examples include Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the fascist regime in Italy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Totalitarianism is a form of government characterized by the complete control over its population in both personal and public realms. The government maintains power through strict censorship, mass surveillance, and an all-encompassing ideology, often enforced by severe punishments. Public expression of dissent is usually not tolerated, and the state may enforce its rule through measures such as controlling the press and conducting mass surveillance. This form of government is fundamentally different from a democratic form, where a free press and elections enable a multitude of voices and opinions to coexist. Notably, totalitarian regimes can display strong nationalism, a disdain for democratic principles, and a belief in social hierarchy.
One historical example of totalitarian dictatorship was the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler, which was based on National Socialism and led to horrendous acts against humanity, including genocide. Hannah Arendt's work on totalitarianism emphasizes the unique ability of such governments to infiltrate every aspect of life and to eradicate personal identity in favor of total allegiance to the state. A totalitarian system's characteristic is not only about the concentration of power but also the manipulation and suppression of the very ideas and thoughts that make up individual identity.