The author argues that “total control of society” is an element of total war. What does she mean? Who did the controlling and who was controlled? No links pls, Thank you.

In simple words, in the given context the author is stating about the poor condition under which many of the governments are oppression the population of their own society by passing strict rules on basic activities.

 The author in the given statements is try to convey that strict and oppressing rules means the government is doing something wrong and does not want their individuals to know the truth.