NYS Global History And Geography Regents Practice Test

Totalitarianism describes a government that tries to control nearly every aspect of life—political decisions, the economy, and social activities—so that the state dictates how people think, act, and even believe. Power is concentrated in one leader or party, and the regime uses censorship, propaganda, secret police, and state institutions to suppress opposition and enforce conformity. The aim is total control, leaving little room for individual rights or independent institutions. Theocracy, by contrast, is rule by religious authorities and law, not a general aim to dominate all life. Democracy is rule by the people with regular elections and civil liberties. An oligarchy is rule by a small group, which can be authoritarian but does not inherently seek to govern every facet of life.