Download Structure and Philosophy of Single

Structure and Philosophy of
Single-Party States
Structure
All totalitarian governments operate in the following way…
• When a single party takes power, they usually maintain the
structure of the existing government – evicting the previous office
holders and replacing them with party members.
• In appearance, the single-party state government doesn’t differ
significantly from a democracy – this gives the impression that the
government is more benign and less repressive than it really is.
• The way to power, influence, wealth and social status is found by rising
through the ranks of the party hierarchy
Economic Policies
• Single-party states control all economic aspects of their
country
• All economic development is designed with the intent of
fulfilling the broader objectives of the party (though they
may initially be positive for all citizens – like higher living
standards, modernization, lower unemployment, improved
defense)
• Very specific economic plans are laid out in order to achieve
these goals
- Five Year Plan (Soviet Union)
- Great Leap Forward (China)
Social Policies
All single-party states have a clear idea about what direction their nation
should take…
Conservative Regimes
- want a return to the “golden age” of the past
- traditional values in terms of gender roles, moral values, class
structure, education
- pushes respect for tradition and authority and extreme
nationalism, racism and suspicion of liberal ideas are common
Leftist Regimes
- usually looks ahead to the future
- support progressive social ideas (gender equality, elimination of social
classes, liberal treatment of minorities and the poor)
Education Policies and Propaganda
• All single-party states use public education as a way to
instill patriotic values, discipline, organization and docile
citizens
• Curriculum is rewritten, all books and education materials
are state-controlled and all unreliable teachers are
removed
• Devotion to the regime above devotion to family, friends
or religion is indoctrinated into all youth
• The same is true for the single-party states’ use of
propaganda for adults – all forms of media, art and culture
are state controlled
Status of Women
• All single-party states have
policies that relate to the status
of women
• In conservative regimes, policies were put in place that return women to
more traditional roles (limited access to education, employment and
influential positions)
• In liberal regimes, policies were put in place that declared the equality of
women (gained citizenship, property and voting rights)
- China and Cuba both passed similar gender legislation
Religious Policies
• Single-party states sought to either eliminate or subjugate previously
existing religious institutions.
• Religion represent rival ideologies, value systems and concept of ethics
and morality (in addition to representing rival power groups)
• Religious groups could pose a threat to the single-party states due to
• their wealth, traditions and infrastructure – in addition to international
connections
- Soviet Union: outlawed churches, killed priests, destroyed
religious structures (wasn’t entirely successful)
- China: est. a new type of religious foundation by creating the
cult of personality around the leader – Mao was seen as
omnipotent, omniscient, infallible