Abuse Of Power In 1984 By George Orwell
In today’s society many people do not know how much power the United States government really has, but the constant addition of surveillance cameras may be a large contribution to this power. In the novel 1984 written by George Orwell, the author gives us an example of what would happen if an Oligarchy government were to become too powerful.
Although the United States government has not come close to that of what George Orwell describes, it is possible for it to come close if the power is not controlled while it can. In Oceania, Big Brother and the first party have ultimate power over the second and third party people. One specific example of this power would be through a telescreen, a type of television that allows Big Brother and his government …show more content…
Although the surveillance systems used here in the United States are not as severe as telescreens, they do have many similarities. The Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell claims that surveillance cameras that are being used by his department are “not running a camera-monitoring center, but it will allow us to see what happened or is occurring on a street or intersection”(Winton). He later claims, “it won’t be a case of ‘big brother is watching’ because a central control center will enlist the private cameras only when police know an incident is unfolding in a certain area”(Winton). Although the cameras used in the United States are only said to be used only for the purpose of safety for its citizens, the footage that these surveillance cameras provide to the government and its officials could easily be abused. These cameras may help protect some of those living in America, but at the same time they also take away some of the individualism that people have the right for. For instance, surveillance cameras used publically on residential streets are able to view citizens on their private property at any given time, which in turn takes away their right to their own privacy. These cameras may be
Although the United States government has not come close to that of what George Orwell describes, it is possible for it to come close if the power is not controlled while it can. In Oceania, Big Brother and the first party have ultimate power over the second and third party people. One specific example of this power would be through a telescreen, a type of television that allows Big Brother and his government …show more content…
Although the surveillance systems used here in the United States are not as severe as telescreens, they do have many similarities. The Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell claims that surveillance cameras that are being used by his department are “not running a camera-monitoring center, but it will allow us to see what happened or is occurring on a street or intersection”(Winton). He later claims, “it won’t be a case of ‘big brother is watching’ because a central control center will enlist the private cameras only when police know an incident is unfolding in a certain area”(Winton). Although the cameras used in the United States are only said to be used only for the purpose of safety for its citizens, the footage that these surveillance cameras provide to the government and its officials could easily be abused. These cameras may help protect some of those living in America, but at the same time they also take away some of the individualism that people have the right for. For instance, surveillance cameras used publically on residential streets are able to view citizens on their private property at any given time, which in turn takes away their right to their own privacy. These cameras may be