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We delve into the six characteristics of totalitarianism as discussed by Seyla Benhabib, exploring the themes from Hannah Arendt's work. We examine the establishment of a cult leader, the transformation of political parties, the spread of propaganda, lawful lawlessness, the creation of camps, and the inevitability of war. We also distinguish totalitarianism from fascism, dictatorships, and authoritarian regimes by its all-encompassing control over every aspect of life. Additionally, we discuss the importance of unpredictability, spontaneity, and friendship as forms of resistance, the distinction between action and behavior, and the roles of loneliness, isolation, and solitude. We close by circling back to last week’s topic, on friendship's potential to combat homogeneous thinking and its vital role in moral and personal growth, and coalition-building.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published00:00 Introduction to Totalitarianism 00:44 Six Characteristics of Totalitarianism 04:32 Distinguishing Totalitarianism from Other Regimes 08:13 The Role of Data and Behavior in Control 09:43 Embracing Spontaneity and Unpredictability 17:52 The Importance of Privacy and Relationships 21:30 Designer Emotions: A Thought Experiment 26:42 The Power of Friendship 33:50 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsGet more from Mona Mona in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the app