TOTALITARIANISM:
THE 411

Which ideology do you believe in?
Which one is more totalitarian? Why?

1. The government should help those in need even if it has to raise taxes.


2. Government programs like welfare discourage people from working.

Totalitarianism: The 411

Totalitarianism is a form of government. In this political system, the ruling power has complete control over the nation's economy, and law and order. There is no freedom of speech and assembly, and the use of mass surveillance aides or helps the political power, have oppressive control.

A Totalitarian state:
Characteristic #1

Promotes an ideology that appeals to the sentiments or feelings of the people. The totalitarian state leads its citizens into believing that if they accept their ideologies, they will be certain of a safe and secure future.

Ideology
A belief or message spread
by a totalitarian government to control the behavior of the society or citizens

TASK

• What ideology is spread by the Capitol? ( Reread pgs. 34, 39, 40, 41)
• What places in the text can you find evidence to support the ideology?
• Explain how each quote proves the ideology you have identified

Task Example
The ideology promoted in Harrison Bergeron by the government is that “All people are average and the same” This ideology is exemplified by the quote from the story “Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General” Not only are citizens expected to be the same but that to be different is dangerous. It is so dangerous that it is so dangerous that it has to be enforced by a Handicapper General. In addition to this quote the story also reveals this ideology through the narrator who states "George and Hazel couldn't think about it very hard. Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she couldn't think about anything except in short bursts. And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains." Here the narrator tells us that George is naturally smarter than most citizens but that he has to wear a transmitter to keep him essentially dumb. Once again the ideology is that being average is normal and being smart or different is dangerous and illegal. This ideology proves that the government portrayed in the story is totalitarian. It reminds me in many ways how often people will believe anything the government tells them to.

DO NOW:

Peer Editing

• Did you determine the ideology?
• Did you include two details from chapters 1-3 of the"Hunger Games?"
• Did you explain how each quote shows an ideology?
• Did you check your spelling and grammar?