Difference Between Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism
Both Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism are types of government that are against the democratic Government and are led by dictators. While the power in the Democratic government lies in the hands of the people in the society, the power in the totalitarianism and authoritarianism government rests entirely upon a single person. However they are quite different from each other in spite of the fact that a single human being is the supreme person in both the cases.
In authoritarianism administration there is a single person who has the complete supremacy over the Government who is known as the dictator. An authoritarian depends upon the help provided by the friendly parties and organizations so that people can be made to follow him. He makes ample use of power, force and fear to have his own way. Like a person obsessed with absolute power, he rewards those who favor and help him and are loyal to him at one hand while on the other hand he will resort to the creation of fear and terror in the hearts of people who are against him. The entire aim of the ruler in the authoritarian rule is the exercise of absolute supremacy over the government and people. There is always a sense of fear in this kind of government.
However in the case of the totalitarianism which is intense authoritarianism the entire government is absolutely under control of the dictator. Instead of the Government, the socio-economic aspects of a country are totally under the reigns of the dictator. However unlike the authoritarianism administration there is no fear in the minds of people. The leader in this type of government tries to continue his rule by maintaining the personality that people perceives about the ruler. An absolute ideologist by nature a totalitarian enjoys the support an appreciation of people due to the charisma of his leadership. The sole aim of this type of government is in the welfare and safety of the people.