A totalitarian regime is a form of government where the state holds absolute power over every aspect of public and private life. In such a system, the ruling party or leader often suppresses individual freedoms and dissent, using propaganda and surveillance to maintain control. Citizens are expected to conform to the state's ideology, and any opposition is typically met with harsh punishment. In a totalitarian state, institutions like the media, education, and even religion are manipulated to serve the government's interests. Historical examples include regimes led by figures like Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union and Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany, where the state sought to dominate not just politics but also culture and personal beliefs.