[vidarh]

> Looking at the number of totalitarian societies which started out as expressions of the collective will of their societies in the two-plus centuries since

Which ones are you talking about? I can't think of many. I can think of quite a few where authoritarian movements got substantial support, but I can't for sure name many where such regimes were anywhere near a majority, and I'd think a majority at least would be required before it becomes reasonable to talk about "expressions of the collective will of their societies".