Less than a century old, the concept of totalitarianism is one of the
most controversial in political theory, with some proposing to abandon
it altogether. In this accessible, wide-ranging introduction, David
Roberts addresses the grounds for skepticism and shows that
appropriately recast--as an aspiration and direction, rather than a
system of domination--totalitarianism is essential for understanding
the modern political universe.
Surveying the career of the concept from the 1920s to today, Roberts
shows how it might better be applied to the three ""classic"" regimes
of Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, and the Stalinist Soviet Union.
Extending totalitarianism’s reach into the twenty-first century, he
then examines how Communist China, Vladimir Putin's Russia, the
Islamic Republic of Iran, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), and
the threat of the technological “surveillance state” can be
conceptualized in the totalitarian tradition. Roberts shows that
although the term has come to have overwhelmingly negative
connotations, some have enthusiastically pursued a totalitarian
direction--and not simply for power, control, or domination.
This volume will be essential reading for any student, scholar or
reader interested in how totalitarianism does, and could, shape our
modern political world.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781509532421
Publisert
2020
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Polity
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter