The Origins of Totalitarianism

Why it’s on the list: Arendt traces Nazism and Stalinism back through nineteenth-century antisemitism and imperialism, and argues that what made total domination possible was not ideology alone but the production of atomised, superfluous people with no place to stand.

Where I saw it: A bare Amazon link saved in the note.

Also seen: Recommended in a BookTok video of political-psychology reading by Prof. Mira (@mira_is_psyched), saved to Kyle’s Apple Note “Books To Read”. Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@mira_is_psyched/video/7443572396558142750

Connections

• Totalitarianism — the subject; this book largely defined the term.
• Ideological Family Tree — the portfolio idea this sits closest to.
• Liberalism · Democracy — what Arendt is measuring the failure against.