I think you're absolutely right that the old 20th century definitions don't suit the current moment very well. I viewed the last election as a choice between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Technically totalitarianism is considered a subset of authoritarianism: it's an authoritarian strongman plus a totalizing ideology that injects the state into every aspect of public and private life. But I don't think it's a get-out-of-totalitarianism-free card if your totalitarian state replaces the dictator with a strict party that brooks no dissent and uses legal technicalities to minimize democratic competition, and the kind of cradle-to-grave federally centralized control the Democrats aim for is otherwise at least totalitarianism-adjacent.
The problem with the "resistance" mindset is really that both sides think that's what they're doing. Trump's got plenty of people who are unabashed about their comfort with his authoritarianism, but there are plenty more who are worried about Trump but view the left's totalitarianism as the greater threat. And Democrats have plenty of people who are gung-ho about the federal government getting all up into the minutiae of our lives, and plenty more who hate that but fear Trump more.
So, how do we resist both? It's a sincere question, but not one I have any easy answers for.
I think we start by calling out the authoritarianism on both sides. We also need to emphasize independent thinking, and resist 'picking a side' at all costs. Voting for who you think is 'the lesser evil' is one thing, people totally identifying with either side is the road to ruin, especially in this climate.
I think you're absolutely right that the old 20th century definitions don't suit the current moment very well. I viewed the last election as a choice between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Technically totalitarianism is considered a subset of authoritarianism: it's an authoritarian strongman plus a totalizing ideology that injects the state into every aspect of public and private life. But I don't think it's a get-out-of-totalitarianism-free card if your totalitarian state replaces the dictator with a strict party that brooks no dissent and uses legal technicalities to minimize democratic competition, and the kind of cradle-to-grave federally centralized control the Democrats aim for is otherwise at least totalitarianism-adjacent.
The problem with the "resistance" mindset is really that both sides think that's what they're doing. Trump's got plenty of people who are unabashed about their comfort with his authoritarianism, but there are plenty more who are worried about Trump but view the left's totalitarianism as the greater threat. And Democrats have plenty of people who are gung-ho about the federal government getting all up into the minutiae of our lives, and plenty more who hate that but fear Trump more.
So, how do we resist both? It's a sincere question, but not one I have any easy answers for.
I think we start by calling out the authoritarianism on both sides. We also need to emphasize independent thinking, and resist 'picking a side' at all costs. Voting for who you think is 'the lesser evil' is one thing, people totally identifying with either side is the road to ruin, especially in this climate.