totalitarian regime

[/ˌtoʊtəlˈɪtɛriən ˈrɛʒiːm/]
nounmasculinepl: totalitarian regimes
regime totalitário
1. A system of government that exercises complete control over all aspects of public and private life, typically through a single political party led by a dictator, with no tolerance for opposition or individual freedoms
Nazi Germany was one of the most notorious totalitarian regimes of the 20th century.
A Alemanha nazista foi um dos regimes totalitários mais notórios do século XX.
2. An authoritarian government characterized by centralized control, suppression of dissent, and pervasive state surveillance
The totalitarian regime banned all independent media outlets.
O regime totalitário proibiu todos os meios de comunicação independentes.
The concept of totalitarian regimes is deeply relevant to Brazilian and Portuguese historical consciousness. Brazil experienced military dictatorship from 1964-1985, while Portugal endured the Estado Novo totalitarian regime under Salazar and Caetano from 1932-1974. Both nations have extensive academic and cultural discussions about totalitarianism as a cautionary historical lesson. In the USA, the term is frequently invoked in political discourse and literary references (such as Orwell's '1984') to discuss dangers of excessive government control.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
dictatorshipauthoritarian governmentdespotismtyrannyone-party stateautocracy
Antonyms / Antônimos
democracyliberal democracyfree societyconstitutional governmentpluralistic society

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
regime totalitário
Standard usage across all Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
regime totalitário
Common in academic and journalistic discourse
São Paulo
regime totalitário
Frequently discussed in political and historical contexts
Portugal
regime totalitário
Often referenced in discussions of the Estado Novo period (1932-1968)

Related Words

totalitarianismauthoritarianismpropagandasuppression of freedomspolitical oppressiondictatorshipstate control

Related Idioms & Phrases

iron fist rule
police state
Big Brother is watching
state monopoly on power
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