Author/Authors :
Stewart, Tuba Gülmez Aksaray Üniversitesi - Đktisadi Đdari Bilimler Fakültesi - Kamu Yönetimi Bölümü, Turkey
Abstract :
This study makes a conceptual analysis of totalitarianism, a form of antidemocratic government. This study has found that it is possible, by overlooking the key elements of totalitarianism, to define different anti-democratic governments as totalitarian. The meanings attributed to totalitarianism, which can be considered the most antidemocratic of all governments, differ. In this study, (1) a conceptual analysis of different meanings given to the concept of totalitarianism will be made in view of the definitions of researchers who have investigated the concept, (2) the general characteristics of totalitarianism will be gathered, (3) the similarities and differences between Arendt and Popper’s understanding of totalitarianism, whose names are identified with the debates on the debates on totalitarianism, will be explored. (4) Moving from the idea that the severity of anti-democratic elements can be overstated, it will be questioned whether Popper, overlooking key elements of totalitarianism, ‘totalitarianized’ the anti democratic elements in Plato’s thoughts, or not .
