The ultimate objective of totalitarianism is the concentration of all public authority in the hands of a self-appointed and self-perpetuating corps of the elect who call themselves a "party" but resemble rather an order, members of which owe loyalty only to their leaders and each other. This objective presupposes control, direct or indirect, depending on the circumstances, over the country's economic resources. Property which by its very nature sets limits to state authority is either abolished or transformed into possession contingent on satisfactory service to the ruling party.
- From Property and Freedom by Richard Pipes
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