In a totalitarian state, how is authority typically exercised?

In a totalitarian state, authority is characterized by its comprehensive control over all aspects of public and private life. This means the government exerts power not only over political affairs but also extends to cultural, social, and personal domains. The ruling authority often employs mechanisms such as propaganda, censorship, and surveillance to maintain this stranglehold on society.

By regulating both public and private life entirely, totalitarian regimes aim to suppress dissent and ensure that their ideology is the dominant viewpoint in all spheres. This pervasive control includes regulating the economy, education, the media, and even personal relationships, creating an environment where individual freedoms and independent thought are severely restricted. This comprehensive approach is what distinguishes totalitarian systems from other forms of government, such as democracies or authoritarian regimes, where some variation of personal liberty might still exist.