Policies In 1984 By George Orwell

Orwellian Policies Practiced in Countries Both Currently and in the Past When 1984 was first written by George Orwell in 1944, the impact it would later have on countless societies across the globe was still unknown. Over time, it has increased in popularity and is now known as an insightful warning on the detrimental effects of absolute power. It is held in such high regards that there has been a word created to describe the nature of the events that took place in it. According to dictionary.com, the term “Orwellian” is defined as something that pertains to, is characteristic of, or resembles the literary work of George Orwell or the totalitarian future described in his dystopian novel 1984. The novel was published in 1949, and there seems
to be a recurring theme of governments implementing the barbaric customs of its society since then. Orwellian policies are practiced, both currently and in the past, in numerous countries globally, including North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. North Korea is widely known today as a model example of a totalitarian society.
It is the only modern-day country that practices a totalitarian regime, displaying countless Orwellian policies. The predominant element of North Korea’s practices that resembles the policies in Orwell’s 1984 is the oblivion of its citizens as to how harsh their conditions really are. Because of government propaganda, North Koreans have become submissive to their leader and content with their unjust lives, despite how censored and restricted outsiders know they are. Similarly, citizens of Oceania blindly follow their government without considering that the strict control they experience is actually injurious to their well-being. This shows a direct link between the citizens of Oceania in 1984 and North Korea, reflecting its Orwellian nature and totalitarianism. The second point to note is that one of the most crucial means of maintaining order in Oceania is censoring and altering documents when it meets the needs of the government. The Party in 1984 says, in fact, that “who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,” (Orwell 325). This shows the extent of censorship in Oceania and how much absolute control is valued. In North Korea, the internet is heavily censored, and all
information made available to the public must be chosen at their leader’s discretion. Unauthorized access to the outside world is severely punished, which goes against basic human rights, the same way most policies reflected in 1984 do. There is a clear connection between the two countries, making this aspect of North Korea’s governing Orwellian. The final North Korean practice that resembles that of Oceania in 1984 is the use of prison camps. It is estimated that 80,000-120,000 people in North Korea are held in political prison camps. Many people contained in these camps are not even guilty of the crimes they are accused of but are simply held because of the actions of a relative. Forced labor, cruel beatings, and death are common occurrences in these camps. Although the existence of these camps is denied by the North Korean government, there have been numerous survivor witnesses to prove its validity. The Orwellian counterpart of this event is the forced-labor camps convicts are sent to. People accused of crimes, guilty or not, are sent to these camps to work for the government. This is essentially banishment, because people sent there are typically never to be seen again. This parallel between 1984 and North Korea reflects one of the Orwellian aspects of North Korea. North Korea is not the only country that embodies Orwellianism. Under Saddam Hussein’s rule (1979-2003), Iraq has violated numerous human right laws that, in essence, prove it to have many Orwellian characteristics. For one, public executions were a common occurrence under Hussein’s rule. They were used as an atavistic tactic to intimidate people and make an example out of them to prevent others from similarly acting out in defiance. Giving them a consequence scared them into submission. In 1984, organized public hangings are an exploitative strategy developed by the government to promote model citizenship. The regularity and enthusiasm of this is shown when Winston’s neighbor’s children were desperate to attend a public hanging. One of the children went as far as to chant, “Want to see the hanging!” (30) which is an awfully disturbing view for a child to have on public execution. Another aspect of Iraq’s rulings that imitate those of Oceania’s is its ongoing state of war. In Orwell’s novel, Oceania is deliberately constantly at war with another world power. This is a devious plan devised by the government to occupy everyone’s energy and direct their hatred. Although it is unknown whether their intentions are the same or not, this is a factor that undoubtedly reflects Orwellian themes, making it Orwellian. Lastly, an Orwellian trait that Iraq possesses is the lack of freedom of speech, expression, association, and movement. Citizens of Iraq lived in an environment of fear and worry during the time of Hussein’s rule. The simple expression of one’s disapproval of the president or his rulings could have the prospect of the death penalty. This is an extremely Orwellian convention because citizens of Oceania cannot express any thoughts that oppose the government, as they may be deemed defiant. The extent of the restriction on their expression is shown when Winston says, “nothing was your own except the few cubic centimeters inside your skull.” This portrays the idea that you cannot vocalize what you’re thinking in this society, just like the society in Iraq. Similarly, Afghanistan has not been recognized as a particularly impartial nation in the past. Although the practices shown in George Orwell’s works are typically viewed as unjust, the unsettling reality is that they are becoming increasingly apparent in modern societies. 1984 was written as a fictional dystopia, showing the disturbing future that could potentially result from authority figures gaining an abundance of power. It was written as fiction but has become a reality that is hard to bear. Countries like North Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan have all become contributors to the increase in Orwellian ideas. If these principles continue to rise in upcoming years, the health of mankind will be at stake. It is now only up to the world powers to ensure a peaceful future, free of barbaric Orwellian ideologies.