Secret societies voluntarily submit to one unlimited commander.

Evidence

Simmel, op. cit., p. 492, enumerates secret criminal societies in which the members voluntarily set up one commander whom they obey from then on without criticism and without limitation. — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 2689

Categorization

• DEFINE: Parallel structure: voluntary, unlimited obedience within a closed society — a prototype of totalitarian loyalty.