Description
Book SynopsisThis book ties together a number of loose ends brought out by various studies of the modern syndrome of totalitarianism. There have been a number of important, in- depth contributions to the study by such luminaries as Talmon, Brezinski, and Arendt. However, this field still lacks a focus as to the unusual nature of this modern phenomenon. The authors purport to bring various observations of the world of totalitarianism into a pattern which demonstrates a commonality, a development not generally seen. Actually, the study of totalitarianism as such is new to the academic field. Until just recently most writers were content to place totalitarianism in the same category as the studies of authoritarianism and pre-World War I dictatorships. Only slowly was it realized by a very few that what was being dealt with in Nazism and modern Communism was something to a great extent unique and required a different focus of observation and understanding. This book demonstrates that the content of muc
Trade Review...illustrates the significant correspondences that exist between the underlying assumptions of Fascism and those of Marxism and its variations. The chapter on Collectivism and Sadism was well-done and to the point. It is a most worthwhile book and Ihope that it will be widely read. -- Donald Atwell Zoll, Arizona State University
...excellent in all respects. The authors can take a great deal of satisfaction in having done something very important for the subject and for the continuing scholarly interest in the subject. -- Robert Nisbet
...fills a long felt need for a concise acccount of totalitarian systems that is intelligible to undergraduate students. Unlike so many textbooks, the book explores the intellectual roots of Fascism, Nazism and Communism and prepares the student for abroad understanding of mass movements in the 20th century. Especially worthy of notice is the authors' objectivity and knowledge of the subject...ideally suited for classroom use in political science courses dealing with modern ideologies and European governments. -- James McClellan, Hampden-Sydney College
...fills a long felt need for a concise acccount of totalitarian systems that is intelligible to undergraduate students. Unlike so many textbooks, the book explores the intellectual roots of Fascism, Nazism and Communism and prepares the student for a broad understanding of mass movements in the 20th century. Especially worthy of notice is the authors' objectivity and knowledge of the subject...ideally suited for classroom use in political science courses dealing with modern ideologies and European governments. -- James McClellan, Hampden-Sydney College
...illustrates the significant correspondences that exist between the underlying assumptions of Fascism and those of Marxism and its variations. The chapter on "Collectivism and Sadism" was well-done and to the point. It is a most worthwhile book and I hope that it will be widely read. -- Donald Atwell Zoll, Arizona State University
...excellent in all respects. The authors can take a great deal of satisfaction in having done something very important for the subject and for the continuing scholarly interest in the subject. -- Robert Nisbet
