Politics

Peterson Defines Totalitarian State as Universal Lying Rather Than Top-Down Oppression

Jordan B. Peterson Podcast · How to Become Who You Are Meant to Be · July 5, 2026

Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

How to Become Who You Are Meant to Be

"A totalitarian state isn't run by psychopathic thugs. A totalitarian state is the state that exists when every single person in the society lies to themselves and everyone else, including those they love, about absolutely everything they think, say, and do. And the more comprehensive that grip, the more thorough the totalitarian state."

Peterson redefines totalitarianism not as a political structure imposed by elites but as a condition created when every citizen participates in comprehensive self-deception and deception of others. He argues that when lying becomes universal, including to loved ones, no atrocity is beyond the population's capability. This shifts moral responsibility from regime leaders to individual participants who maintain the lie.

About this episode

Jordan Peterson delivers the third lecture from his recent tour, analyzing the biblical story of Abraham as a template for living a meaningful life oriented toward adventure rather than security. Peterson frames the lecture through his early obsession with understanding evil, particularly Nazi and Soviet atrocities, which he studied beginning at age 13. He reveals that this research led him to disturbing personal realizations, including intrusive violent thoughts that only ceased when he acknowledged his own capacity for evil. Peterson controversially argues that COVID-19 compliance demonstrated most people would not have resisted totalitarianism, contrary to their self-perception. He redefines totalitarian states not as top-down oppression but as societies where universal lying has taken hold. The core of the lecture interprets Abraham's departure from his father's house at age 75 as a rejection of infantile security in favor of responding to divine calling toward adventure. Peterson argues this represents the fundamental human choice between comfortable stagnation and meaningful sacrifice. He attacks progressive political utopias, citing Dostoyevsky's claim that humans would sabotage perfect material comfort to create meaning. Peterson defines God functionally as the voice of adventure and conscience that calls individuals forward, arguing that heeding this call with proper sacrifice leads to both personal greatness and universal benefit. He emphasizes that belief is demonstrated through action rather than intellectual assent, and that progress requires sacrificing one's inadequate former self. The lecture builds to the assertion that voluntary acceptance of life's catastrophe, symbolized by carrying one's cross, transforms suffering into adventure.

Key takeaways

Peterson claims COVID pandemic compliance proved most people would not have resisted Nazi atrocities, contradicting their self-image as potential heroes like Oskar Schindler.
Peterson defines totalitarian states as existing when every person lies comprehensively to themselves and others, rather than as top-down political oppression by elites.
Peterson reveals he experienced intrusive violent thoughts while studying totalitarianism, which ceased only when he accepted his own capacity for the evil he was researching.
Peterson argues political utopias offering complete material security would drive humans to destructive acts out of boredom, citing Dostoyevsky's critique that such existence isn't what humans should want.
Peterson attacks the United Church of Canada, claiming its leader is an atheist and the denomination worships pride, calling this among the worst possible theological perversions.
Peterson interprets the Abraham story as representing the choice between infantile security and responding to the divine call of adventure through sacrificial commitment.
Peterson defines God functionally as the interplay between calling and conscience that pulls individuals forward, arguing this calling chooses people rather than being chosen by them.