Pre-Modernity, Totalitarianism and the Non-Banality of Evil

This book provides a comparative and historical analysis of totalitarianism and considers why Spain became totalitarian during its inquisition but not France; and why Germany became totalitarian during the previous century, but not Sweden. The author pushes the concept of totalitarianism back into the pre-modern period and challenges Hannah Arendt's notion of the banality of evil. Instead, he presents an alternative framework that can explain why some states become totalitarian and why they induce people to commit evil acts.

Argues against Arendt's 'banality of evil' thesis from a theoretical perspective Compares regimes to consider why they become totalitarian Demonstrates that totalitarianism is not purely a modern phenomenon

Autorentext

Steven Saxonberg is a professor in the Institute of European Studies, Faculty of Social Studies, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, and the Institute of Public Policy and Social Work, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. He has done research at the Centre for Social and Economic Strategies, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Inhalt
Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Cases of Totalitarianism.- Chapter 3: Explaining Evilness.- Chapter 4: France and the Non-Totalitarian Inquisition.- Chapter 5: Spain: Premodern Totalitarianism.- Chapter 6: Sweden.- Chapter 7: Nazi Germany and Non-Banal Evilness.- Chapter 8: Conclusion: The End?.