Ep. 269: Arendt on Totalitarianism (Part One)

<p>On "On the Nature of Totalitarianism" and <em>On the Origins of Totalitarianism</em> ch. 13 (both from 1953).</p> <p>Is totalitarianism just an especially virulent form of tyranny, or something unique to the modern age? Arendt says that unlike other forms of government, totalitarianism is not animated by an active psychological principle that motivates its participants. Instead terror is designed to make citizens incapable of agency altogether.</p> <p>Part two of this episode is only going to be available to you if you sign up at <a href="partiallyexaminedlife.com/support">partiallyexaminedlife.com/support</a>.</p> <p>Sponsors: Get a free trial and save 20% on an annual membership of at <a href="https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/PEL">TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL</a>. Learn about St. John's College summer programs at <a href="https://www.sjc.edu/summer2021">SJC.edu/summer2021</a>. Get a loan to lower your monthly payments at <a href="https://upstart.com/PEL">Upstart.com/PEL</a>. Get $75 off your starter teeth-straightening kit via <a href="https://www.candidco.com/pel">CandidCO.com/pel</a> (code PEL). Get up to a $1000 donation matched at <a href="https://givewell.com/PEL">GiveWell.org/PEL</a> (pick PODCAST and Partially Examined Life at checkout). Hear Wes' "Stoic Guide to Happiness" at <a href="https://www.himalaya.com/stoic">Himalaya.com/stoic</a> (promo code stoic).</p>