PSC 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Economic Stability, Totalitarianism, Authoritarianism
Document Summary
Article discussion: according to the author, how do most americans view authoritarian regimes and what case example does he give to contradict those views, the author describes americans" views on dictatorships as cartoonish, brutish, and highly unrealistic. Has had steady economic growth causing satisfaction amongst citizens: the author uses the terms authoritarian and totalitarian. Individual freedom is restricted: even if there is freedom, there are aspects of it that are restricted, even though they are not democratic, the government may be institutionalized and legitimate. Totalitarianism: totalitarianism is a very rare political system. Modern totalitarianism case study: north korea: kim-jong un is the current supreme leader of this country, state/party control of every facet of life. Jobs and education chosen by the state: state-run media, no independent civil society, arbitrary arrests and widespread repression, up to 120,000 people in forced labor camps, prison camps include men, women, and children.
