A totalitarian regime is distinguished from an authoritarian one primarily by its degree of control over public and private life. Totalitarian governments seek to dominate every aspect of life, including the economy, culture, and personal beliefs, often utilizing extensive surveillance, propaganda, and state-controlled media to quash dissent. In contrast, authoritarian regimes may maintain certain social freedoms while restricting political opposition but do not necessarily aspire to control all dimensions of life. This distinction emphasizes the extent of state intervention and the methods employed to maintain power, impacting individual freedoms and societal norms.