Examples Of Totalitarianism In 1984

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What is totalitarianism? Totalitarianism is described as absolute control over a people from one centralized group. This includes controlling the thoughts and will of the individual. In George Orwell’s 1984, Oceania is ruled by a totalitarian government. The citizens are forced to wear certain clothes based on their social status. Also, there are rallies organized in order to influence the minds of the people. For children, there are several clubs such as The Spies and The Junior AntiSex League which are used as tools to influence them so they stay faithful to the Party as they grow older. Those who have any thoughts against the Party or are considered dangerous to the authority of The Party are arrested and tortured until they adhere …show more content…

Recently, the internet in The People’s Republic of China has been taken over by the Communist Party. This party has eliminated all websites in China that could denounce the government or release sensitive information. Cheng Hua explains, “any internet media company operating within China's borders has to face control and censorship from national …show more content…

This should warn for the future of the United States. The idea of signature strikes is used to instill fear in terrorists. Thomas Ricks, an award-winning journalist, explains the tactics of signature strikes. He states, “We live in an intrusive, overweening state in both the East and the West. In the early 2000s, the U.S. government regularly killed people in nations with which it was not officially at war by using remote-controlled aircraft” (Ricks). Hundreds of strikes have already occurred in the Middle East where the United States has been in combat for many years. For many young people, The United States not conflicting in the Middle East is a new concept. This is also the case for Orwell’s Oceania. During a flashback from the main character, Orwell writes, “Winston could not definitely remember a time when his country had not been at war” (Orwell, ). Ricks also relates the wars in the Middle East to the Oceanian wars. They are quite similar. The citizens in The United States as well as the citizens of Oceania are rather unaffected by the wars and have little knowledge of the conflicts. Ricks explains further about the little knowledge of the wars. He writes, “For present-day Americans, 1984's background of permanent warfare carries a chilling warning. In the book, as in life in the United States today, the conflict is offstage, heard only as occasional rocket impacts” (Ricks). The wars with little