Throughout the twentieth century the concept of Totalitarianism has functioned on political, moral, religious and theoretical level. Designating regimes that maintain themselves in political power by means of propaganda, state-controlled media and economy and restriction of free speech, Totalitarianism extensively uses terror tactics.Terrorism is political violence performed by non-State actors. By conveying a distorted ideology, terrorism orders for massive destruction of institutions, foundations and national symbols representing thoughts and ideas which do not comply with common sense.This paper investigates the relationship between Totalitarianism and Terrorism in the context of Political Theory. Their fundamental relationship is reflected on their roots. Terrorism |evolves as a result of social inequalities, religious conflicts and a rebellious intelligentsia, while similarly, Totalitarianism takes advantage of social inequalities and offers a sense of individual existence to deprived people, who adhered to this ideology. By investigating this relationship in the context of Political Theory, the paper identifies similarities between Totalitarianism and Terrorism in the use of terror tactics, obsession with control, relation to religion and the use of advanced technology
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[...] Considering the diverse forms and the contradictory interpretations provided on the grounds of using extreme, anti-social and inhuman activities in certain environments, terrorism is broadly defined as structured brutality with the intention to cause fear and insecurity of citizens and to threaten the State authority or achieve other political goals (Milosevic & Stajic, 1998). In addition, the term refers to abuse and it is closely associated to outrage against social injustice. Shultz considers that terrorism is a war against ordinary citizens and that terrorists serve as grim reminders that democracy is fragile and needs to be guarded with vigilance (Shultz, 1986). [...]
[...] Yet, the urge for the “final solution” led to utopian social reforms, loss of medical confidentiality, devaluation of autonomy, and economic crisis (Hassenfeld, 2002) Communist Terror in Soviet Russia Within the context of Political Theory, Communism is a theory and system of social and political organization, which aspired to overthrow capitalism and introduce a system in which property is owned by the community as a whole. Communism theorizes a society which lacks social class, offers abundance and freedom and all people enjoy equal social and economic status. [...]
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[...] In this context, intense opposition may lead to terrorist activities Investigating the relationship of Totalitarianism and Terrorism As explained in section Terrorism evolves as a result of social inequalities, religious conflicts and a rebellious intelligentsia. Similarly, Totalitarianism takes advantage of social inequalities and offers a sense in individual existence to deprived people, who adhered to this ideology. Therefore, there is a fundamental relationship between Totalitarianism and Terrorism. In the context of Political Theory, the paper detects major similarities between Totalitarianism and Terrorism. [...]
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