Final answer:
Totalitarianism's attraction in the USA is complex, possibly suggesting societal dissatisfaction, but largely conflicts with American democratic values and individual freedoms. The system of total control over individual and public life is at odds with core American principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether totalitarianism holds an attraction for some in the USA is complex and layered. Totalitarianism, as defined by political theorist Hannah Arendt, is a system that seeks complete control over both the public and private lives of citizens, with laws that can change at will and a systematic use of violence to instill terror and dependency in people. In this system, the individual's self is eradicated in favor of a self that is an extension of the government. Throughout history, instances like the adoption of totalitarianism in post-World War I Germany under Hitler are often linked to extreme societal pressures. The attraction to such a system in a place of established democracy with its foundational values of freedom and individualism could suggest acute dissatisfaction or disillusionment with the current state of governance or society. For the most part, American values conflict with the ideals of totalitarianism, as it opposes core values such as freedom of speech, religion, and democratic governance. However, in times of crisis, such as during wartime or the onset of the Cold War, there has been a tension between protecting civil liberties and national security.