To answer the question, I must adopt the factors stated above and compare them to the example of Hitler and Nazi Germany in order to decide what extent Hitler was a totalitarian Dictator.
Some of the features of a totalitarian dictator Hitler has been employing even before he had much power. These were the use of violence and terror to influence and control people, and it was a main weapon for Hitler against radicals and anyone who would speak out about his ideas.
Hitler set up the SS and Gestapo to take care of these people and although they were effective units or repression they were not as dominant in Germany as often thought.
It was the reports given by the people of Germany that allowed the Gestapo to make arrests and maintain effective authoritarianism. Through encouraging the uncorroborated gossip that spreads in any community and taking this as tangible evidence, the Nazi party and more predominantly the Gestapo were able to preserve a degree of control over people’s everyday lives.
It was one of Hitler’s aims right from the begging to destroy any other opposing political party and swiftly did he do this. In 1933 when Hitler became chancellor he persuaded the Reichstag to pass an Enabling Law on 23rd of March. Shortly after Hitler banned any new parties to be formed and created a one party state. The Communist Party and Social Democratic Party were outlawed and over time as other parties saw no purpose for being together they voluntarily disbanded. Trade Unions were abolished and instead the German Labour Front was set up led by Robert Ley. It became illegal for bosses to sack workers or for the worker to leave a job without Govt acquiescence. Strikes and negotiating for a higher wage were also made illegal by Ley.
The Roman Catholic and Protestant Church were the two main churches around when Hitler came to power. The SS attacked members of both churches as the Nazi Party viewed them as opposition even though Hitler attempted to contain an authority in both of the churches. In 1933 the Concordat was sighed by both Hitler and the Pope. This was to say that Hitler had promised not to interfere within the German Catholic Church in return for the Catholic Centre Party to disperse and no longer take any active part in politics. Ultimately the Pope could not condone the actions of the Nazis and the Encyclical was issued to be read out in all Catholic Churches disapproving of Nazi procedure.
Hitler attempted to organise the different Protestants into a single Reich Church, which was to lead by a Nazi Bishop.
The Nazis exercised control into other areas to, such as the education system. The policies and system, which they engaged, were rather unusual putting a greater emphasis on the physical excellence rather than academic, this was to prepare the next generation for a life of strict regime and militaristic drills. The boys were taught from the age of 6 to enjoy hiking and camping and of Hitler’s ideas as they progressed through life they began military training and swore an oath of allegiance to Hitler, finally the were to complete a period of 6 months to a year of labour service. The girls were taught completely differently to that of the boys the emphasis here was on how to be a good German housewife. Taught from the age of 10 skills of healthcare and motherhood.
Blatant attempt by the party to indoctrinate Germany’s youth through emphasising nationalist principles and showing the party in a wholly positive light were resented by many. Hitler had gained control over the education system using new regimes and textbooks littered with propaganda.
The one area in which the Nazis were in complete control was the media.
Joseph Goebbles was instrumental in the rise of the Nazis and in the manipulation of public opinion whilst they were in power. Media was censored from newspaper articles and radio shows to cinema screen productions, Goebbles organisation of the propaganda was essential in the manipulation of public opinion to be favourable towards the Nazi Party. Rallies held be Goebbles and Hitler were attended by hundreds upon hundreds of people and the SA would parade and it was Hitler’s ability as a charismatic leader and Goebbles excellent ability to organisation and distribute propaganda which was an essential factor in the maintenance of Hitler’s total control over Germany.
All of this information leads us to believe that Hitler had total dictatorship over Germany and he certainly set out to do so, and although they were largely successful, there were elements of Nazi rule that were far from totalitarian due to a lack of unity and purpose within the party.