Summary of Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Book Preview: #1 Nothing is more characteristic of the totalitarian movements in general and of the fame of their leaders in particular than the startling swiftness with which they are forgotten and the ease with which they can be replaced.

#2 It is a serious mistake to forget that the totalitarian regimes, while they are in power, command and rest upon mass support. This support is not simply a result of self-interest, which is the most powerful psychological factor in politics.

#3 The attraction of evil and crime for the mob mentality is nothing new. It has always been true that the mob will admire deeds of violence for their cleverness. The disturbing fact about totalitarianism is the true selflessness of its adherents: they will not waver even if their own children are being harmed.

#4 The totalitarian movements aim at and succeed in organizing masses, not classes. While all political groups depend on proportionate strength, the totalitarian movements depend on the sheer force of numbers to such an extent that they seem impossible, even under otherwise favorable circumstances, in countries with relatively small populations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Feb 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669350583

IRB Media

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Insights on Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

Nothing is more characteristic of the totalitarian movements in general and of the fame of their leaders in particular than the startling swiftness with which they are forgotten and the ease with which they can be replaced.

#2

It is a serious mistake to forget that the totalitarian regimes, while they are in power, command and rest upon mass support. This support is not simply a result of self-interest, which is the most powerful psychological factor in politics.

#3

The attraction of evil and crime for the mob mentality is nothing new. It has always been true that the mob will admire deeds of violence for their cleverness. The disturbing fact about totalitarianism is the true selflessness of its adherents: they will not waver even if their own children are being harmed.

#4

The totalitarian movements aim at and succeed in organizing masses, not classes. While all political groups depend on proportionate strength, the totalitarian movements depend on the sheer force of numbers to such an extent that they seem impossible, even under otherwise favorable circumstances, in countries with relatively small populations.

#5

Totalitarian movements are possible wherever there are large masses of people who have acquired the appetite for political organization. The term masses refers only to people who, because of sheer numbers, or indifference, or a combination of both, cannot be integrated into any organization based on common interest.

#6

The rise of the Nazi movement in Germany and the Communist movements in Europe was fueled by the mass of indifferent people who had previously been ignored by the political system. The majority of Nazi and Communist members were people who had never before appeared on the political scene.

#7

The rise of totalitarian movements is not caused by indifference to public affairs, but rather by a desire to eliminate them. The competitive and acquisitive society of the bourgeoisie had produced a sense of