The difference between authoritarianism and totalitarianism lies in the extent of state control over society. Authoritarianism typically allows for limited political pluralism; it may tolerate some social institutions outside government control, but maintains central authority. In contrast, totalitarianism seeks to control every aspect of life, including the economy, culture, and individual beliefs, often deploying propaganda and state-sanctioned terror to suppress dissent. While both systems restrict freedoms, totalitarian regimes aspire to reshape society entirely according to a specific ideological vision, leading to more pervasive state intervention and repression.