Totalitarianism

What Hacker News says

1. jgiliasMar 2025
   Totally agree. It’s like, I get the hard core MAGA voters. The smart ones knew exactly what they are voting for, and they’re now super elated. The not so smart ones just voted for the movement, and their leader, unlikely to be disappointed by anything he does (read Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt).

   Everyone else… yeah.

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2. pjungwirFeb 2017
   When I think of things like mass surveillance, proliferation of felonies, over-charging & plea bargaining, civil asset forfeiture, and police militarization, the book I really think of is not 1984, but Hannah Arendt's Totalitarianism. I think it is very thought-provoking and helps show what it means to lose the rule of law in your country. Also unlike 1984 it is about things that actually happened.

   And just to be clear, I think these fears are non-partisan. The problems didn't start in January, but much sooner. Solving them isn't as easy as just electing the right party.

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3. zerocratesDec 2025
   Arendt:

   Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.

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