---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The totalitarian phenomenon is not to be…"
description: "\"The totalitarian phenomenon is not to be understood without making an allowance for the thesis that some important part of every society consists of pe..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/807/jean-francois-revel-64664_allowance_the-totalitarian-phenomenon-is-not-to-be_1963434.jpg"
---

#  The totalitarian phenomenon is not to be understood…

![“The totalitarian phenomenon is not to be understood without making an allowance for the thesis that some important part of every society consists of people who actively want tyranny: either to exercise it themselves or - much more mysteriously - to submit to it.” quote by Jean Francois Revel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/807/jean-francois-revel-64664_allowance_the-totalitarian-phenomenon-is-not-to-be_1963434.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/807/jean-francois-revel-64664_allowance_the-totalitarian-phenomenon-is-not-to-be_1963434.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/807/jean-francois-revel-64664_allowance_the-totalitarian-phenomenon-is-not-to-be_1963434.jpg)

> “The totalitarian phenomenon is not to be understood without making an allowance for the thesis that some important part of every society consists of people who actively want tyranny: either to exercise it themselves or - much more mysteriously - to submit to it.”

[Jean Francois Revel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-francois-revel/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Some people in every society either desire to wield power or willingly submit to domination, sustaining tyranny.

**In simple terms:** People either want power or accept oppression.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and challenge both tyrants and compliant supporters.

Themes

politics power society psychology

Mood

concerned critical

Type

analytical political

When to use this quote

- government policy
- workplace hierarchies
- social movements
- family dynamics

Key Concepts

authoritarianism collective responsibility obedience

Questions to Reflect On

- Who in your community supports oppressive structures?
- How can you resist both domination and compliance?

A Different Perspective

Even without overt tyrants, passive acceptance can perpetuate oppression.

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## More by Jean Francois Revel

> [To totalitarianism, an opponent is by definition subversive; democracy treats subversives as mere opponents for fear of betraying its principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-francois-revel/to-totalitarianism-an-opponent-is-by-definition-subversive-democracy/)

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