Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes
Abstract
In this classic work, noted political sociologist Juan Linz provides an unparalleled study of the nature of nondemocratic regimes. Linz's seminal analysis develops the fundamental distinction between totalitarian and authoritarian systems. It also presents a pathbreaking discussion of the personalistic, lawless, nonideological type of authoritarian rule that he calls (following Weber) the "sultanistic regime." The core of the book (including a 40-page bibliography) was published in 1975 as a chapter in the Handbook of Political Science, long out of print.The author has chosen not to change the original text for this new edition, but instead has added an extensive introduction reflecting on some of the contributions to the literature and the changes that have taken place in world politics and in the nature of regimes since the 1970s.
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Terms such as authoritarianism or patrimonialism denote specific, well-theorized constellations that are not directly commensurate with the hybrid, adaptive, and often electorally embedded modes of illiberal rule observed today.
“Terms such as 'authoritarianism' or 'patrimonialism' denote specific, well- theorized constellations (Linz 2000; Weber 1968) that are not directly commensurate with the hybrid, adaptive, and often electorally embedded modes of illiberal rule observed today.”
From Authoritarian Drift, Variegated Paths: Mapping Administrative Transformation Strategies Under Illiberal Rule (2025) · cites this paper as Linz 2000
Many past autocrats sought to impose comprehensive ideologies.
“Many past autocrats sought to impose comprehensive ideologies.”
From Informational Autocrats (2019) · cites this paper as Linz 2000
In totalitarian systems, comprehensive ideologies often involved holistic conceptions of man and society that legitimized the dictator's rule and required personal sacrifices.
“In totalitarian systems, these often involved holistic conceptions of man and society that legitimized the dictator's rule and required personal sacrifices (Linz 2000, 76)”
From Informational Autocrats (2019) · cites this paper as Linz 2000
Totalitarian ideologies decisively rejected capitalist democracy.
“while decisively rejecting capitalist democracy.”
From Informational Autocrats (2019) · cites this paper as Linz 2000
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- Authors
- Linz, J. J.
- Corresponding author
- Linz, Juan J.
- Venue
- Lynne Rienner Publishers eBooks
- Publisher
- Lynne Rienner Publishers
- Published
- 2000-07-01
- OpenAlex
- W4300813480
- Cited by
- 1,420
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 90 · 2025: 163 · 2024: 66 · 2023: 79 · 2022: 92 · 2021: 107 · 2020: 78 · 2019: 110 · 2018: 126 · 2017: 58 · 2016: 56 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 65 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 37.81
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Lynne Rienner Publishers eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Political Conflict and Governance
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Political Theory and Democracy
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Politics and Society in Latin America
- Keywords
- totalitarianism, authoritarianism, non-democratic regimes, regime typology, Juan Linz
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