Martin Palous, the Czech Republic’s Ambassador to the United States, spoke Tuesday in the Hill Memorial Library about the causes and effects of totalitarianism.
Palous’ lecture, entitled “Is the Concept of Totalitarianism Still Relevant Today?” focused on the idea of a totalitarian government in the 21st Century.
Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the central authority presides over every aspect of individual rights.
Palous called this form of government a cross between communism and fascism.
He said knowledge of totalitarian governments is essential for peaceful politics.
Palous began his discussion with an overview of government, from the early stages of Greek and Persian government to those types of government present throughout the 20th century, such as Nazi Germany.
“The general problem with totalitarianism is a problem of understanding how to keep in our world spaces of communication,” he said.
Palous said a lack of communication can bring forth misunderstandings and violence.
“Using communication, we can be able to solve our disputes in a peaceful way,” he said.
According to Palous, the nature of totalitarianism can appear to be good at first glance.
“I think the general good of us is to preserve and protect freedom within our world,” he said.
He also added that good nature can lead to disaster with incapable rulers and tyrants.
“The difference between good and bad government is the difference if the ruler is good and just,” he said.
Despite calling himself “not a great expert on Iraq,” Palous answered questions in a debate led by Stacia Haynie, a political science professor at the University.
He said he believes that eventually, cooperation will prevail with the assistance of others.
“My belief is that NATO will be playing a bigger role there,” he said.
Currently, Palous is a philosophy professor at Charles University in Prague. He was one of the original signers of Charter 77, which called for an end to Communism in Czechoslovakia.
In 1989, his efforts in the Velvet Revolution helped to overthrow the Communist government and create the Civic Forum, the government used to replace communism in the Czech Republic.
After years of working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Vaclav Havel appointed Palous as ambassador to the United States in 2001.