Crystal Asube Asube 1

Mr. Bird

ENG4U1-01

30th September 2013

The Tyrannic Government Orwell Warns About

The well being of a population depends on the conduct of a justified government, where decisions are made based on what would benefit the citizens. Their purpose in a civilization is to implement laws, promote ethics, and provide facilities and institutions to satisfy the basic needs of their people. Most importantly, a justified government will tend to the desires of the majority of a population to the best of their ability, by taking in consideration consequences and feelings. Opposite of a fair society, George Orwell, predicted a future in 1984 where life is a depressing trial for citizens in the dystopian civilization of Oceania. Manipulated by propaganda, irrational enforcements of policies, infinite surveillance, and revision of the past leads civilians feeble to the oppression of their government. They are governed by a potentially fictional dictator, whom they address as “Big Brother.” The citizens fear him and adore him. Although, Orwell’s predictions for modern culture after World War Two may seem drastic and extreme, it has been evident that the inhabitants of our world currently mimic the ignorance of the party members in Orwell’s vision. In the patriotic nation of the United States of America, the rights and freedoms of their citizens are disregarded in ways that are undetected by majority of the population. If we are consistently warned about our future by thinkers such as George Orwell, how do governments remain in power and sustain this cycle? Presently, the American government Asube 2 exploits its citizens for the sake of power; and they do this in much the same way Orwell envisioned, through the invasion of privacy and the perpetuation of war hysteria. Governments control people by restricting their rights and freedoms. Privacy is often the first right to be compromised. In 1984, the Thought Police scour the land to eliminate any dissidents among the people. The majority of the population is left poor and disconnected from reality while the few surviving intellects ponder a way to rebel. Technology enhances a government’s ability to access personal information in both 1984 and 2013. In Oceania, every public and private place is compromised by “telescreens.” This enables the Inner Party to monitor every facial expression, word and move: “Any sound Winston made, above the level of a whisper, would be picked up by the telescreen; moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard.” (Orwell 6)
Being monitored continually constricts the expression of individuality, and complicates making personal decisions based on innermost desires. This is depicted when Winston is hesitant to write in his journal, fearing the Inner Party. Living in fear, leads to less creativity and spontaneousness, which is exhibited in characters like Winston’s wife, Katharine. In an era where technology is deliberately improved, devices such as computers and cellphones are so common in our daily lives, that we do not recognize its downfalls. The rise of technology provides governments with the knowledge of our personal information, and location. Unwilling to contribute to the government’s infringement on privacy, Edward Snowden, a former member of the National Security Agency (NSA), is now facing conviction for contravening the Asube 3
NSA’s policy. Snowden revealed how the U.S government defeats internet privacy security by collecting internet communications and records through Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, Youtube, and AOL. On the contrary, in 2005, Obama claimed that President Bush’s Patriotic Act, “Seriously jeopardizes the rights of all Americans and the ideals Americans stand for.”(Newstatesman) In a democracy where freedom, which includes the freedom to be private, is highly valued, it seems that the government contradicts its own proclaimed values. The U.S National intelligence director says that surveillance keeps America safe, but how safe can citizens be in a nation where they cannot trust their leaders? Additionally, the governments abolish the feeling of comfort and safety that inhabitants have within their homes. Winston describes life in Oceania: “In the far distance a helicopter skimmed down, between the roofs hovered for an instant like a blue-bottle, and darted away again with a curving flight. It was the thought police, snooping into people’s windows.” (6)
The Thought Police have the authority to enter anyone’s house who may pose a threat to the Inner Party, without a warrant or even any solid evidence. The Inner Party defeats the purpose of a home, because the citizens no longer have a place to confide in. A single, open-concept building, with no individual apartments, with patrols encircling the area would serve the same lack justice. Not only does it strip people of the respect they are entitled to, but it leads to the conviction of innocent people. The Thought Police exist today. Inhabitants of Deer Tail, Colorado are disturbed by the infiltration of surveillance drones hovering above their homes. Phillip Steel, a local resident, has
Asube 4 drafted an ordinance to allow citizens to shoot down the drones, in an effort for them to reclaim their civil liberties. The drones are fitted with thermal technology enabling them to further monitor people, even in environments of complete darkness. Additionally, corporations may benefit from the use of drones to collect data from their customers. In an interview with Vice, Phillip Steels declares, “Obama declared war on us, so we’re fighting back. He fired the first volleys. Our Second Amendment is in place so we can fight against a tyrannical government.” In both 1984 and 2013, we question the sanctity of our private lives. How ignorant are we to the government’s devious methods of ensuring its own security? Although, scrutiny in Oceania is more arbitrary, and universal, it is evident that circumstances in 2013 are similar enough to catalyze rebellion of citizens. Bureaucrats claim the transgression of personal privacy is necessary for protection against terrorism. In all likelihood, bureaucrats and allies shroud the rules of society to conserve the power and privileges of politicians and executives. Above all, the most insidious tool the governments use to maintain power in both 1984 and 2013 is the war. War is intended to propagate hysteria; it is an effect rather than a cause. The main cause it serves is for the greater good; to end violence and tyranny in distant countries. Given that it is illogical to combat violence with more violence, it is reasonable to believe that rulers are more interested in the propaganda, patriotism, and economic surplus that accompanies war. Orwell predicts that there will be a continuous interchange between allies and enemies so the masses remain in perpetual fear. An eternal war with one country is unrealistic, so by alternating between enemies and allies, the masses are more likely to believe they are always in danger. The ignorance of the party members allows them to be easily manipulated and accept the
Asube 5 change without acknowledging it. Winston is the only one is aware of the sudden change of enemies as he takes part in a demonstration in Victory Squares. He notes: “At just this moment it had been announced that Oceania was not after all at war with Eurasia. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Eurasia was an ally. There was, of course, no admission that any change had taken place. Merely, it became known, with extreme suddenness and everywhere at once, that Eastasia and not Eurasia was the enemy.”(148)
It is shocking that the Inner Party has enough control over the individual mind that they are capable of rectifying even the most recent memories. Tragically, Americans are no smarter than citizens of Oceania. Their unawareness of America’s role across seas, allows the U.S government to praise their accomplishments, but neglect their faults. In particular, they contributed to eradicating the governments in over sixty nations. Much like the switch of allies and enemies between the three superstates, President Obama now seeks that Americans become allies with Al-Qaida against Syria, after denouncing Al-Qaida as responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Having discussed this, in both situations, if peace is made with one country, immediately, war is initiated or threatened against another nation. Yesterday’s enemy is today’s ally. War is perpetual. It keeps the military machine rolling, and prevents the standard of living from rising. If peace is made with one country, war is initiated or threatened against another nation to keep the military machine running. Like Oceania, American military forces move from one military conflict to another. Winston learns from Goldstein’s book, that the war is fabricated by the Inner Party so that they remain in power. They are interested solely in keeping power,
Asube 6 nothing else for the purpose of eliminating individualism. In the past, a war was something that eventually ended but in Oceania its function in society has changed: “The war, therefore, if we judge it by the standards of previous wars, is merely an imposture. It is like the battles between certain ruminant animals whose horns are set at such an angle that they are incapable of hurting one another. But though it is unreal it is not meaningless. It eats up the surplus of consumable goods, and it helps to preserve the special mental atmosphere that a hierarchical society needs.”(158)
The Oceanic government fires rocket bombs on their own country to instill fear. As a result, the citizens view Big Brother as their protector. Essentially, the act of war is the destruction of goods. Goods are produced to fuel industries, but not distributed to prevent people from becoming too wealthy and independent. By repeating this cycle, the chances of the Inner Party being defeated is very little. Today, war is used for the same purposes. If a war is won, then it ends. When a war ends, the money stops. Thus, acts to put an end to war and promote peace are useless. Military conflicts will continue to be endless because the nation’s most powerful political and economic organizations and business’ benefit enormously from its continuation. By giving the impression that America is fighting a war to protect and maintain order, they receive support and affection from their people. The only way a war has a possibility of ending is if Americans realize the vast costs they are offering so that oligarchs and political elites may prosper and be empowered. As prices increase, and the life span of items decreases, the standard of living is kept at a minimum, prohibiting the powerless to ever rise to authority. Proclaimed by Readers Supported News, “ Asube 7
Washington clearly has no fear that such realizations are imminent. They are moving in the other direction: aggressively planning how to further entrench and expand this war.” An expansion of war propagates implications for the future such as initiating a World War Three, and sending the human population into another disheartening period. Commencement of the expansion of war and the creation of an unnecessary enemy is already being taken place by the attack on Syria for the use of chemical weapons. Syria’s objection to abide to Israeli-American control may peak a World War Three if other nations choose to follow their actions. All things considered, the statement said to Winston by O’Brien, “The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake. We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness: only power, pure power,”(217) is proven to be true in 1984, as well as the twenty-first century. The American government manifests their hunger for power by violating of human rights and freedoms, and waging an endless war based upon false motives entirely for their own advantage. They are only capable of doing so, through the submission of their citizens. Orwell’s prophecies in 1984 are valid, because the strength of the party in relies on the ignorance of the masses. Generally, if the masses learn to worship their leader, and feel vulnerable without the dictation of their rulers, governments can sustain the cycle to maintain power. Needless to say, not all American citizens are uneducated and easily convinced, take Snowden and Steels for example. However, Snowden is incarcerated and Steels is currently charged for damaging government property. If higher authority continues to lock away the few people courageous enough to rebel against their unorthodox methods to ensure peace and security, the future of America does not look bright. The bigoted opinions majority of
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Americans hold against those they are informed to believe are enemies should be reconsidered. In reality, Americans are equally oblivious as the civilians of Oceania are of their suppression. Will Americans reclaim their sense of dignity and freedom? Or will they mimic the party members of Oceania and learn to love and submit to their servitude?

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Work Cited
Barrett, Kevin. "Will US Military Be "al-Qaeda’s Air Force" in Syria on September 11th?" Veterans Today. N.p., 7 Sept. 2013. Web. 04 Oct. 2013.
Duff, Gordon. "Breaking: Afghanistan – America's "Total Lie War" Veterans Today. N.p., 2 Sept. 2012. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
Francey, Matthew. "The Colorado Town Promising to Shoot Down Obama's Surveillance Drones." VICE. N.p., Sept. 2013. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
Greenwald, Glenn. "'The War On Terror' Is Permanent." Reader Supported News. 07 May 2013. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.
Hasan, Mehdi. "On Wiretaps and Drone Strikes, It's Time for Liberals to Accept That Obama Is Worse than Bush.” Newstatesman. N.p., 13 June 2013. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
Jura, Jackie. "3. Surveillance." Orwell Today. Web. 04 Oct. 2013.
Orwell, George. “1984.” New York, NY: Published by Signet Classic, 1977. Print.