Totalitarianism Thrives on the Exploitation of the Weak by the Strong
Totalitarianism Thrives on the Exploitation of the Weak By the Strong
"Napoleon is always right." - George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 5
The novel that elevated George Orwell to literary fame was Animal Farm; a satirical ‘fairy tale for adults’ based on the themes of totalitarianism and Stalinism. In accordance with the theme, the book heavily satirizes the Russian Revolution; both directly and indirectly, and therefore gives rise to a host of examples to substantiate the statement: ‘Totalitarianism thrives on the exploitation of the weak by the strong’; the topic of discussion in this essay.
In the course of my essay, I will attempt to clarify the meaning of totalitarianism, briefly analyze a dictatorial mind and its weapons; highlight a few historical as well as present-day examples of oligarchic governance and offer an in-depth analysis of the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell as well as the novel Nineteen Eighty Four by the same author while relating it to the topic of discussion. My personal opinion has also been included.
Totalitarianism may be defined as a ‘system of highly centralized government in which one political party or group takes control and grants neither recognition nor tolerance to other political groups.’ [1] A totalitarian system of governance rules in a autocratic and dictatorial manner and uses weapons of suppression, fear, intolerance, oppression, and terror to ensure its continuity; not to mention its most important tool: propaganda.
Totalitarianism relies on misdirection and convincing argument. It is necessary to convince subjects that objective reality is an illusion; that black can be white; and that good is bad; everything is subjective and relative. Through the manipulation of language, everything can be distorted, without the messy need to resort to facts, logic, or reason. Totalitarianism relies on this very principle; and the totalitarian ruler is almost certainly on the road to megalomania or at least dreams to be
"Napoleon is always right." - George Orwell, Animal Farm, Ch. 5
The novel that elevated George Orwell to literary fame was Animal Farm; a satirical ‘fairy tale for adults’ based on the themes of totalitarianism and Stalinism. In accordance with the theme, the book heavily satirizes the Russian Revolution; both directly and indirectly, and therefore gives rise to a host of examples to substantiate the statement: ‘Totalitarianism thrives on the exploitation of the weak by the strong’; the topic of discussion in this essay.
In the course of my essay, I will attempt to clarify the meaning of totalitarianism, briefly analyze a dictatorial mind and its weapons; highlight a few historical as well as present-day examples of oligarchic governance and offer an in-depth analysis of the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell as well as the novel Nineteen Eighty Four by the same author while relating it to the topic of discussion. My personal opinion has also been included.
Totalitarianism may be defined as a ‘system of highly centralized government in which one political party or group takes control and grants neither recognition nor tolerance to other political groups.’ [1] A totalitarian system of governance rules in a autocratic and dictatorial manner and uses weapons of suppression, fear, intolerance, oppression, and terror to ensure its continuity; not to mention its most important tool: propaganda.
Totalitarianism relies on misdirection and convincing argument. It is necessary to convince subjects that objective reality is an illusion; that black can be white; and that good is bad; everything is subjective and relative. Through the manipulation of language, everything can be distorted, without the messy need to resort to facts, logic, or reason. Totalitarianism relies on this very principle; and the totalitarian ruler is almost certainly on the road to megalomania or at least dreams to be