The religion of authoritarianism

Abstract

In totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, the restriction of the spheres that go from the private to the public is indispensable, as a mechanism of control and security. That is why control is exercised over music, the internet, open media, socializing spaces such as bars and everything that the government cannot control. In many cases, these spheres are molded according to the pillars of the ruling movement or even configured in favor of the same ideological movement, where deviating from the permitted behaviors entails penalties. Religion stands out as one of the largest spheres of influence, as it can establish clear differences with the regime or be used to structure the guidelines of the new ideology.