Oceania and the Republic of Uzbekistan as Dystopian Societies

"War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength" (Orwell 6). The novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell demonstrates a dystopian society with negative and unrealistic messages. Such messages are a reality in the modern Republic of Uzbekistan. The social control enforced by the government of both Oceania and of Uzbekistan eliminates all privacy of their people. Individual consciousness is replaced by collective conformity, disallowing individualism to be expressed. While the mock dictatorships within both nations (fictional and genuine alike) control, alter, and conform the citizens of the respective nations into loyal followers of the government. The novel Nineteen Eighty-Four provides a prime example of a dystopian society. The two nations practice social control which instils fear within the citizens, exercise physical and emotional persecution to achieve reform, and are lead by an omnipotent leader who eliminates the fundamental freedom of expression of his citizens, attesting to the Republic of Uzbekistan as a dystopian society of the 21st century. The distinct presence of social control within the Oceanian and Uzbek societies infuse immense fear within the civilians, providing evidence towards a dystopian culture. The majority in the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four must be on constant alert and apprehensive due to the presence of telescreens. These machines are found in all places within the Party walls, and do not miss a single movement or sound. As a result, people fear expressing emotion of any sorts, diluting their human nature. Furthermore, the parents of young children must practice extraordinary caution around their children as the youth is taught a no-tolerance policy regarding thoughtcrime. "It was almost normal for people over thirty to be frightened of their own children." (Orwell 27). Similarly, the people of the Uzbek Republic may find themselves under

surveillance at any time. If the government retains any suspicions (or even if

Cited: Orwell, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. London: Penguin Group, 1989. "Uzbekistan: Release Human Rights Activist Who Tried to Tell the Truth About Andizhan." Amnesty International. 28 July 2007 . "State Authority 's Portal." Republic of Uzbekistan. 25 July 2007 . "Politics of Uzbekistan." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopaedia. 28 July 2007 . "Uzbekistan." Amnesty International Report 2007. Amnesty International. 30 July 2007 .