Agovernment is based on a single, charismatic leader who rules with an ideological outlook.

A totalitarian government is based on a single, charismatic leader who rules with an ideological outlook.

Political theorists distinguish between what are simply authoritarian forms of government and what are termed "totalitarian."  An authoritarian ruler may not have any great charisma; he simply rules with full authority whether people like him or not.  Also, an authoritarian government need not have any strong ideological commitment.  It simply is asserting authority and expecting people to bow to the state's power.

In a totalitarian system, however, there generally is a unifying ideology and a powerfully charismatic leader that seeks to rally people's absolute allegiance both to himself and that ideology.