The Totalitarian Legacy of the Post-Soviet Countries: Theoretical Reflection of the Problems of Totalitarism

Abstract

The theoretical reflection of the totalitarian phenomenon was studied. It was established that there is no single generally accepted scientific theory of totalitarianism in modern political science, moreover, despite the long-term development of this problem, researchers did not even manage to clearly define the subject of the discussion, so diametrically opposed answers to fundamental questions regarding form-forming and essential features led to antagonistic differences in views on this complex phenomenon in the social and political life of society – from the complete denial of the very fact of its existence to the granting of an omnipresent, universal, timeless character.

It was determined that in the process of development of the theory of totalitarianism in the West, several complementary and sometimes mutually exclusive concepts were formed, within which this phenomenon was interpreted as a “closed society” and a particularly cruel lawless autocratic dictatorship, based on modern technology and mass legitimation, was identified with socialism , one-party system, terror and authoritarianism, was interpreted as a product of the irrational psychological and characteristic structure of the consciousness of an ordinary individual and “unproductive human orientations” in the conditions of the birth of a mass society. It has been proven that the loss of clarity of evaluation criteria and the transformation of the term itself into a commonly used emotionally colored negative epithet called into question the scientific value of the very concept of totalitarianism, which had already undergone significant ideological compromise, too often serving as a quasi-theoretical legitimation of the policy of forceful confrontation between two hostile blocs. The urgent need to combat Soviet communist expansion had an extremely negative impact on the scientific value and quality of a large part of the research, turning it into a stereotypical collection of myths and propagandist clichés, monotonous accusations and boring curses, which led to a permanent crisis of the concept of totalitarianism and its characterization “rather as metaphors than of a clear scientific theory” and “appendix to the Cold War”.

It is concluded that despite the permanent crisis of the theory of totalitarianism, the revival of authoritarian dictatorships in the first quarter of the XXIst century caused a new wave of popularity of already forgotten scientific concepts. Their heuristic potential is still far from being exhausted, therefore, despite the gradual distancing from the political catastrophes of the XXth century, interest in totalitarianism in society not only does not fall, but also constantly grows, scientific discussions not only do not subside, but also intensify and deepen, receiving from each succeeding generation has a new meaning and various nuances, which are especially relevant when summing up the past, solving the problems of the present, and outlining the prospects for the future.