ABSTRACT
Totalitarianism: the one holds it to be a constant companion of the history of humanity, the other a hallmark of the industrial era, and a third describes it as a phenomenon that is unique to the twentieth century. The main foci of the present article are the conceptual and typological aspects of this phenomenon. The portrayal is based upon a comparative analysis of the main components and qualities of totalitarianism in its-relatively understood-left (Marxist-Leninist) and right (Fascist) varieties. There are of course many differences between these two variants; and these differences became critical in the conventional typology arranging them as two opposite poles of the ideological spectrum. It suffices to refer to such dichotomies as internationalism and nationalism, for example, or the theory of class struggle and the nationalistic-racist idea, materialism and idealism, etc. At this, the antagonism between Marxism-Leninism and Fascism is demonstrated and defined. Whereas Marxism-Leninism represented a reaction to bourgeoisliberal democracy, Fascism arose as a reaction toward both the latter and Marxist-Leninist internationalism. There are countless differences of this type. Yet I nonetheless assume the premise that, despite these and other conspicuous distinctions, both represent one and the same social-historical phenomenon with respect to the methodology and the fundamental essential characteristics of the phenomenal image-namely, of totalitarianism. And, in this characteristic, they have much in common.
