Answer:

purges

Answer	Crossword Clue
PURGES	Removes political opponents
PURGES	Political house-cleanings
PURGES	Purifies

PURGES	Common practices in totalitarian states.
PURGES	Communists' means of quelling opposition.
PURGES	Clears of guilt.
PURGES	Cleanses
PURGES	Rids
PURGES	Mass dismissals
PURGES	Removes impurities from
PURGES	Gets rid of

PURGES	Political ousters