RICHARD SHORTEN teaches political theory at the University of Birmingham, UK. His work focuses on the history of political ideas, with particular reference to twentieth-century Europe. He has published widely on the subject of totalitarianism.

'An extremely worthwhile book that constitutes a significant contribution to a much-discussed topic It meets an obvious need for a comprehensive survey among so many more specialised studies. I cannot think of any other work that quite does the job' - Harry Redner, formerly Reader in Politics at Monash University

• Series Preface Acknowledgments Introduction PART I: TOTALITARIANISM – WHAT, WHEN, HOW? The Problem of the Modern The Problem of Intellectual Antecedents PART II: THREE TOTALITARIAN CURRENTS Utopianism Scientism Revolutionary Violence Conclusion Bibliography Index