The Origins of Totalitarianism

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This paper discusses how the ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche were in the center of European totalitarianism. It looks at how the actions, including the Holocaust and collectivization of Russia, of those in control of Europe at this time reveal a heavy influence from his works.

From the Paper:

"Totalitarianism of the early 20th century is the product of the First World War and became in many ways Nietzsche's society based on rank. Those who were ready, those who had a will to power, seized the opportunities offered by the post war era. They came to power because, according to Nietzsche, it was the will of man and therefore it was inevitable. "This world is the will to power-and nothing besides! And you yourselves are also the will to power-and nothing besides" (Perry, 276). Once in power these men continually sought to expand their authority. Nietzsche better that any other modern intellectual of the time understood man to be driven by nothing but power and satisfied only by expanding that power. "What is happiness?-The feeling that that power increases- that a resistance is overcome" (Perry, 276)."

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