Based on historical and political analysis, here are key signs that a society should watch out for if they believe their government is becoming totalitarian:
Concentration of power
- Expansion of executive power. The leader or ruling party consolidates power by weakening or removing institutional checks and balances, such as legislatures and independent courts.
- Single-party rule. The ruling party suppresses or eliminates all political opposition, making it impossible for other parties to compete for power through free and fair elections.
- Politicization of independent institutions. Essential institutions like the judiciary, civil service, and military are co-opted and used to serve the interests of the ruling party, not the public.
Erosion of personal and civil liberties
- State-controlled media. The government controls or heavily censors all forms of mass communication—including news, television, and the internet—to spread propaganda and suppress dissent.
- End of free expression. The state silences critical voices and criminalizes dissent, often framing it as “extremism” or “terrorism”.
- Widespread surveillance and terror. Secret police forces and mass surveillance are used to create an atmosphere of fear, monitoring citizens’ public and private lives to ensure obedience.
- Restriction of personal freedoms. The government intrudes into the private lives of its citizens, controlling aspects like religion, associations, and personal interactions.
Manipulation of truth and social division
- Official ideology. An elaborate, all-encompassing official ideology is imposed on the population, requiring conformity in thought and behavior.
- Cult of personality. An all-powerful, charismatic leader is glorified and presented as having almost “god-like” status, with public gatherings organized around celebrating their image.
- Invention of common enemies. The regime mobilizes the population against perceived external or internal enemies, using fear and xenophobia to forge national unity and justify repressive actions.
- Disinformation and propaganda. Facts are abandoned in favor of an official narrative, with a constant stream of propaganda meant to manipulate public opinion and create cynicism toward the truth.
Economic control
- State-controlled economy. The government asserts control over the economy, dictating production and prices and eliminating the private sector.
- Financial dependence. Rights and access to resources are made contingent on compliance, making citizens financially dependent on the state.