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Is "mobilization" really the primary indicator of a totalitarian regime? I think the root word "total" might be more indicative. When most aspects of a citizen
by panarky 5y ago
Is "mobilization" really the primary indicator of a totalitarian regime?
I think the root word "total" might be more indicative. When most aspects of a citizen's life are dominated by the party or the state, and alternative or competing non-state institutions don't exist, that's totalitarian.
Russia looks quite totalitarian according to that definition, with everything from local government to media, religion, business and cultural institutions tightly controlled by the the central clique of mafia-style oligarchs. Does any independent civil society exist in Russia?
- Barrin92 5y agoNo there isn't much of a civil society but neither is every facet of live in Russia controlled by anyone. If you're an average Russian right now you work in the private sector in a job of your choosing, you have a faith of your choosing and go about your day, there's no party or state to be seen. (what 'party' even, as Russia isn't communist any more). Oligarchy and totalitarianism are opposed concepts. Russia is indeed pretty corrupt, oligarchic and mafia like, but that means there isn't that much state capacity left as private and public interests are divided and self-interested. Actual totalitarians first annihilate the oligarchs which siphon from the state. Stalin was totalitarian. Mao's red guards were totalitarian. No comparable force exists in modern Russia.
- prmph 5y ago> you have a faith of your choosing Russia is currently persecuting religious minorities