Origins of Totalitarianism

Arendt’s three-part masterwork had the same US editor as 1984 and can be read as the non-fiction equivalent. While scholars have subsequently questioned aspects of her grand theory of totalitarianism, much of it holds up. Her commanding, aphoristic prose has made this one of the most widely quoted books of recent years, especially on the subject of power creating its own alternate reality: “In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses had reached the point where they would, at the same time… think that everything was possible and that nothing was true.”

In her classic study of totalitarianism, Arendt describes the contours of the fictitious world that existed in the Soviet Union. Like Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union was engaged not only in a constant fight with invented enemies but with reality itself. The communist system was based on concentric circles of power with the inner circles characterized by their total contempt for reality. As Arendt explains, the object was to create and force people to act out a false version of reality that would conform to Marxist-Leninist ideology. This could only be achieved by force which is why the combination of… show more.

Although the oldest book on this list by quite a margin, Arendt’s Origins of Totalitarianism remains one of most interesting and important books on why the twentieth century became the age of brutal, ideologically driven dictatorships. She discusses how anti-Semitism became such a powerful force in politics, the long-term impact of imperialism, and the mechanics of totalitarian movements.

At a time when “strongmen” are gaining popularity again and liberal democracy appears to be besieged, it is well worth reading her (again). Arendt’s most alarming observation – also relevant for today - is that totalitarian policies and instruments were not specific… show more.