Totalitarianism In 1984 Research Paper
In the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, totalitarianism is defined: “A totalitarian government seeks to control not only all economic and political matters but the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population, erasing the distinction between state and society” (“Totalitarianism”). Dictators use trickery and oppression to build up the power of the government and degrade the populace. In his novel 1984, George Orwell warns about the dangers of a totalitarian government, as the citizens of Oceania blindly praise and obey Big Brother and the Party. In this dystopia, the Party can catch even those who think thoughts against the Party and take them away from society. Similarly, in China and Russia, an authoritarian party works
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For example, in 1984, when the Party changes all records to make it seem like Oceania was always at war with Eurasia instead of Eastasia, Winston sees that everyone obliviously has no problem with this and applies a Party slogan to the situation: “Who controls the past, …controls the future: who controls the present controls the past” (Orwell 34). The public unconsciously accepts the Party’s brainwashing and lies, and thus, the Party can change the past or present to their needs, while people obediently follow. The Party is able to manipulate the rest of Oceania, and therefore have authority and ultimate power without any question or opposition. Additionally, as social media becomes more prominent, China’s authoritarian government is quick to put down any political criticism: “The heavy censorship practiced by the Chinese government is widely felt by the citizens on social media, who easily notice politically sensitive material being deleted within an hour of being posted or entire platforms being shut down for days at a time” (Ma 48-49). Similar to 1984, the Chinese government tries to avoid the spread of information that might cause a citizen question the credibility of authority. Any opposing ideals are censored in order to lessen the probability of spreading liberal ideas and to affirm the government’s power. The Party in 1984 and the Chinese government utilize censorship to mask alternating views so the importance of the central government is
For example, in 1984, when the Party changes all records to make it seem like Oceania was always at war with Eurasia instead of Eastasia, Winston sees that everyone obliviously has no problem with this and applies a Party slogan to the situation: “Who controls the past, …controls the future: who controls the present controls the past” (Orwell 34). The public unconsciously accepts the Party’s brainwashing and lies, and thus, the Party can change the past or present to their needs, while people obediently follow. The Party is able to manipulate the rest of Oceania, and therefore have authority and ultimate power without any question or opposition. Additionally, as social media becomes more prominent, China’s authoritarian government is quick to put down any political criticism: “The heavy censorship practiced by the Chinese government is widely felt by the citizens on social media, who easily notice politically sensitive material being deleted within an hour of being posted or entire platforms being shut down for days at a time” (Ma 48-49). Similar to 1984, the Chinese government tries to avoid the spread of information that might cause a citizen question the credibility of authority. Any opposing ideals are censored in order to lessen the probability of spreading liberal ideas and to affirm the government’s power. The Party in 1984 and the Chinese government utilize censorship to mask alternating views so the importance of the central government is