Exploring Dystopian Literature and Societal Critique (Research Paper Sample)

Student’s Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Exploring Dystopian Literature and Societal Critique Oppressive states often engage in political activities without considering their impacts on citizens and society. George Orwell’s 1984 is a political novel that narrates the strategies that totalitarian and authoritarian governments use to control their citizens and the impacts of such leadership approaches on society (Orwell 1949). Key elements of totalitarianism and authoritarianism namely; excessive demand for political loyalty, constant government surveillance, the use of political control tactics, psychological manipulation, and persistent revolutionary struggles, if not addressed, can result in human suffering and societal degradation. Excessive Demand for Political Loyalty Totalitarian and authoritarian governments find it challenging to maintain social cohesion and development due to their excessive demand for political loyalty. While these governments demand that every citizen becomes loyal to them, this is not always the case as such regimes trigger an influx of rival groups who will always attempt to oppose the laid-down policies and rules (Hassan et al. 163). A good example of such regimes in contemporary society is China where loyalty and betrayal are evident among political factions, with some figures pretending to be loyal to the state for personal gains (Chen and Ji 23). In Orwell’s 1984, agents of the Thought Police express their loyalty to the Party to maximize their personal and political interests (Orwell 91). In oppressive regimes, rival elites form opposition parties to destabilize the state and they receive tangible goods in exchange for their loyalty from their leaders. Besides, the state appoints as many spies as possible to punish those who betray the government. For instance, in Cuba, Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) created by the Communist Party served as spies for the state (Hassan et al. 163-164). Orwell narrates how rebels lack the freedom to express political standings due to the fear of being arrested and punished by the Thought Police and the Party (Orwell 14). The end result of excessive demand for political loyalty is societal instability and degradation. Constant Government Surveillance Using Technology Inappropriate use of technological innovations by totalitarian and authoritarian governments on their citizens can lead to societal degradation if measures are not taken to address them. Extremely powerful governments use technology to constantly monitor the behaviors of their citizens. A good example of such behaviors in the contemporary political environment is the technological surveillance conducted on political opponents in Tunisia in 2011 by Tunisia’s Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) (Hassan et al. 164). As evidenced in 1984, the Party uses hidden microphones and telescreens to monitor the movements of citizens everywhere they go, a factor that negatively affects social cohesion and development (Orwell 148). Ekins and Gygi recently conducted a survey to understand the opinions of Americans regarding the idea of the American government to install surveillance cameras in people’s homes to reduce illegal behaviors, abuse, and domestic violence. 14% of Americans supported the idea, 75% opposed it, 68% strongly opposed the idea, and 10% were undecided (Ekins and Gygi par. 2). Ideally, societal degradation is highly likely to occur when the government denies citizens privacy in their private homes and social settings through constant technological surveillance. The Use of Political Control Tactics Political control strategies employed by excessively powerful states infringe on the rights of citizens eventually undermining social cohesion and growth. Examples of political control measures that are evident in today’s political environment include repression, indoctrination, coercive distribution of resources, and infiltration that is characterized by constant surveillance (Hassan et al. 158-167). Other tactics include information restriction and manipulation, language restrictions, and mind control (Hassan et al. 170). For example, a repressive regime in Syria under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad induced forceful submission by the citizens due to the fear of being punished (Hassan et al. 159). In Orwell’s 1984, political control tactics such as information restriction and manipulation, language restrictions, punishment, and forced exile are dehumanizing to citizens leading to constant wrangles between the Party and rebels like Winston (Orwell 239). A society that is experiencing suffering inflicted by the state cannot grow because its members cannot engage in development projects. Psychological Manipulation and Torture Totalitarian and authoritarian regimes cause unintended psychological impacts that can influence the society to engage in behaviors which trigger conflicts. For example, the trauma inflicted by repression can trigger socialization processes depending on the types of identities that citizens acquire. Additionally, they influence political and social polarization that lead to social degradation (Hassan et al. 168). The Party in Orwell’s 1984 is preventing citizens from achieving its sexual desires and constantly punishes and tortures those who are disloyal to it. Additionally, the Party contributes to social degradation by including children in its spy groups (Orwell 31). Kelman believes that a totalitarian state is to blame for creating an environment where torture can thrive (123). Psychological torture and manipulation, when not addressed, can cause societal degradation in an extremely powerful regime. Persistent Revolutionary Struggles versus Civil Resistance Unending struggles for revolution create an atmosphere where citizens are in constant wars and conflicts, a factor that contributes to unethical practices and societal degradation. Civil resistance proves to be an effective strategy for ending conflicts in totalitarian states (Hassan et al 164; Stephan and Chenoweth 8). The Party in 1984 is believed to have been created as a revolutionary group whose goal was to overthrow the British regime in the mid-1960s. The Party’s revolutionary struggles are still ongoing until when the group will achieve its goals. Unfortunately, it is not concerned about the continued societal degradation that is taking place as a result of its political activities (Orwell 45). According to Stephan and Chenoweth, the two factors that make civil resistance an effective strategy for ending conflicts are; enhanced commitment to weaken the target; and the fact that state attacks on non-violent movements are highly likely to backfire (9). While constant struggle for revolution can cause societal degradation, opposition groups can use civil resistance as a strategy to create peace and encourage societal development. Biographical Insights Into the Author’s Life and Its Impacts on the Novel’s Creation George Orwell wrote 1984 in 1949. He lived in Jura, specifically Hebridean Island during the novel’s creation. However, the novel’s actions a...