The Origins of Totalitarianism

By: Hannah Arendt

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 23 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A recognized classic and definitive account of its subject, The Origins of Totalitarianism traces the emergence of modern racism as an "ideological weapon for imperialism," begining with the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe in the nineteenth century and continuing through the New Imperialism period from 1884 to World War I.

In her analysis of the institutions and operations of totalitarian movements, Arendt focuses on the two genuine forms of totalitarian government in the twentieth century: Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, which she adroitly recognizes as two sides of the same coin rather than opposing philosophies of the Right and Left. From this vantage point, she discusses the transformation of classes into masses, the role of propaganda, and the use of terror essential to this form of government. In her brilliant concluding chapter, she discusses the nature of individual isolation and loneliness as preconditions for total domination.

©1966 Hannah Arendt (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

An extraordinary well written and reasoned text

I have never read anyone who could explain something as complex so simply and clearly. Wonderful. Listened almost straight through.

Amazing

This book had so much information! Loved all of it.

Her analysis at the end about loneliness and isolation are amazing and really tie the whole book together.

It was just so amazing. Really sad that such a book has to be written though

Everithing was great

Me ha gustado todo. Es una de las más interesantes pensadoras de todos los tiempos. Excelentemente leído.

Excellent

A well thought out and engaging work. She explains so much through the analysis of human history. I believe that much of Arendt is still relevant today. An excellent audiobook reproduction btw.

Required Reading

If you want to understand how a totalitarian state comes about and wish to avoid heading down that path, this is required reading.

Compelling Theory

I first read Hannah Arendt more than 50 years ago. Both this title and her reporting on the Eiichmann trial. This work remains the seminal work on the origins, character and dimensions of totalitarianism as a dysfunctional, functioning system of social/political organization. Insights abound, but at times the work's logic crashes against the ramparts of the illogical barricades of its subject. Highly recommended for anyone with the appetite for dense, intellectual analysis.

Deep and complex, gets better as it progresses

Admitidly very long, but overall really interesting. The first 70-80% is slow, and contains long discussions of topics which later I couldn't remember why they were relevant, but the last 20-30% was packed with really insightful discussions on totalitarianism.

Much to consider

If you don't know much about political science especially as it relates to our recent world history, you may need to research whilst reading. I will be reading this again but this time in print so I can take notes and do research. I have read a few other books by Arendt, so I assumed this first go round would be an introduction to a topic I wish to know in depth.
I listen at work while stocking shelves so I didn't make many notes on audible but there were at least 20 times I was struck by her words that directly described things brewing in the United States government currently. So I made a few notes I most urgently wanted to research.

Rewards Patience

Even with the benefit of corrective hindsight, this remains the definitive work on how Totalitarianism arrives and how it works. Even newer texts that argue with Arendt have a high bar to meet if they choose to disagree and contend with this brilliant and incisive book.

This is NOT light reading. It's astonishingly detailed and showcases all of Arendt's encyclopedic knowledge of the relevant factors. Expect to get lost. This book deserves its own accompanying wiki.

Where the book goes wrong is not obvious, and you will wonder if she wasn't right after all. Perhaps not, but you'll have to martial your facts to show it.

You *will* be glad you gave this book your patience.

Vast and intricate analysis of horror

Arendt uses Marxist economics, combined with a Hobbesian outlook, to evaluate the rise of Hitler and Stalin. Her thesis is that their totalitarian regimes were qualitatively different from other despotisms, both inwardly and outwardly, because their aim was not self or national aggrandizement, but pursuit of a blinding ideology, leading ultimately to total destruction.

She describes totalitarianism arising out of anti-Semitism and global imperialism. There are some wonderful insights here, such as the change in anti-Semitism from anti-Judaism to anti-Jewishness and the change in the concept of nation from one of geography to one of ethnicity or race. The pattern of anti-Semitism and imperialism leading to totalitarianism seems to fit the German model better than the Russian, however. In addition, her discussion of racism suffers from ignoring New World slavery. She acknowledges the irony of the US as a land of liberty founded on slavery, but she does not consider the totalitarian nature of American slavery.

Arendt is at her best evaluating the nature of totalitarian regimes. She describes the ability of Stalin and Hitler to destroy the connections of individuals with others in society and eventually self-identity. She also explains how the focus of a totalitarian regime on ideology isolates it from reality and makes it so much harder for the non-totalitarian world to understand or deal with regimes focused on goals other than self or national interest. This incomprehension also makes it harder for the rest of the world to grasp the reality of the Radical Evil adopted in pursuit of totalitarian ideology. She describes in academic terms much of what Orwell illustrated in 1984.

Arendt also gives ominous warnings about the need for the separation of law and power, meaning that those charged with executing the law should not be the ones deciding what the law is, as well as the assault on civil society that results from constant or unending war.