Inverted totalitarianism is a political concept and principle first mentioned by noted American political scholar Sheldon Wolin. According to Wolin, inverted totalitarianism is a system that develops in a relatively democratic free country, that gradually evolves to be a managed democracy, a form of government that appears to be a democracy, but is in fact authoritarian in nature. According to him, that’s exactly what the United States evolved to be after the Cold War. Thus, it’s a totalitarian form of government that gradually evolves from democracy. But in this aspect, there is a fundamental difference concerning its formation and extraordinary structure: instead of subverting the establishment through a revolution – like traditional totalitarian regimes – it paradoxically uses democratic institutions and principles to assert, justify and legitimize its totalitarian nature. Albeit never disrupting nor abandoning a fragile facade of democracy, in order to sustain appearances. Thus, it’s a system similar to a guided democracy (Russia), to an illiberal democracy (Singapore), and a liberal autocracy (Egypt), but mainly differs in the role that large enterprises play upon its political system.
One of the preponderant factors in the model of inverted totalitarianism is the part of large companies and corporations. They act as the real substance behind the curtains. In fact, the real de facto holders of power are bureaucrats, executives, businessmen and company owners, that subvert government and its implied hierarchy, in order to use political institutions to consolidate their influence and guarantee their financial interests. Thus, through lobbying and crony capitalism, they literally buy politicians and state-owned platforms. Consequently, they effectively own them, making these large corporative groups the real force behind the power. Presumably, all political decisions, laws and amendments approved were done in order to meet the standards and demands of these groups of shareholders, to their exclusive benefits. We can almost affirm inexcusably that it’s a form of corporatocracy, although inverted totalitarianism can expand beyond that and extend a little further.
One of the preponderant factors in the model of inverted totalitarianism is the part of large companies and corporations. They act as the real substance behind the curtains. In fact, the real de facto holders of power are bureaucrats, executives, businessmen and company owners, that subvert government and its implied hierarchy, in order to use political institutions to consolidate their influence and guarantee their financial interests. Thus, through lobbying and crony capitalism, they literally buy politicians and state-owned platforms. Consequently, they effectively own them, making these large corporative groups the real force behind the power. Presumably, all political decisions, laws and amendments approved were done in order to meet the standards and demands of these groups of shareholders, to their exclusive benefits. We can almost affirm inexcusably that it’s a form of corporatocracy, although inverted totalitarianism can expand beyond that and extend a little further.
Inverted totalitarianism also uses state propaganda to transmit to its people – and also to the world – how good they are, and how effectively they are pursuing the “common good”. One such example is the justification the United States continuously used to fight terrorism. No one would argue the incontestable fact that terrorism is indeed a cruel, hostile, aggressive and violent enemy, and has to be suppressed in order to save lives. But for the United States government, in countless moments, tasks and missions – especially outside their own sovereign territory, and mainly in the Middle East – the end justifies the means. So, if anyone dares to disagree, to contest or to question their counterterrorist methods, this person can be considered an enemy or even a potential threat, with the dangerous probability of becoming a target. No one can question their methods to fight terrorism. Thus, this is one major element of inverted totalitarianism. It is a “democracy”, but no one can disagree, nor contest anything, not even their targets, objectives, goals and missions. Effectively, “fighting terrorism” becomes merely a pretext to achieve more shady and obscure goals, and to assert, reassure and consolidate an increasing and ever expansive zone of control.
In the model of inverted totalitarianism, politics play a major role all the time. Everything is about politics, everything is achieved through politics, everything is by politics, everything is for politics. Strangely, though, but consistently convenient, never anything really concrete is achieved, and the lack of expressive results are shamefully apparent. And despite being a constantly political oriented state of affairs, paradoxically, contrary to traditional totalitarianism, inverted totalitarianism demands and stimulates the populace to be in a constant state of lethargy, apathy and indifference concerning politics. If the people are alienated, it’s easy for the ones controlling the state apparatus to pursue their own agenda.
Although the concept is relatively new – at least to a larger audience – it’s clear that several societies and countries around the globe are becoming, or already are, resorted to the model of inverted totalitarianism. A state of affairs where the political system is nothing but a large committee for sale, predisposed to seek and to consolidate the monopolies, markets and financial interests of the corporative autarchies that pay the most, this is the natural reflex of a world whose major interest, unfortunately, is money.
While the idealistic worldview says that this is a harmful global phenomenon easy to fight, the realistic perspective affirms that it’s a battle hard to win. Nevertheless, the problem is identified.
Inverted totalitarianism is a system suffocated by the subtle aggressiveness of its own tale.
Wagner
In the model of inverted totalitarianism, politics play a major role all the time. Everything is about politics, everything is achieved through politics, everything is by politics, everything is for politics. Strangely, though, but consistently convenient, never anything really concrete is achieved, and the lack of expressive results are shamefully apparent. And despite being a constantly political oriented state of affairs, paradoxically, contrary to traditional totalitarianism, inverted totalitarianism demands and stimulates the populace to be in a constant state of lethargy, apathy and indifference concerning politics. If the people are alienated, it’s easy for the ones controlling the state apparatus to pursue their own agenda.
Although the concept is relatively new – at least to a larger audience – it’s clear that several societies and countries around the globe are becoming, or already are, resorted to the model of inverted totalitarianism. A state of affairs where the political system is nothing but a large committee for sale, predisposed to seek and to consolidate the monopolies, markets and financial interests of the corporative autarchies that pay the most, this is the natural reflex of a world whose major interest, unfortunately, is money.
While the idealistic worldview says that this is a harmful global phenomenon easy to fight, the realistic perspective affirms that it’s a battle hard to win. Nevertheless, the problem is identified.
Inverted totalitarianism is a system suffocated by the subtle aggressiveness of its own tale.
Wagner
