Totalitarianism: Orwell’s 1984 vs. the United States Government Essay Example

George Orwell's prediction in the novel 1984 could very well be a reality. Aspects of this totalitarian dystopia appear throughout the United States. It is a constant battle between the government and the people. In 1984 the government forgets that it should cater to the needs of the governed. Orwell was trying to warn everyone of the impending doom that faces the United States. He feels like the U.S is steadily increasing towards becoming a totalitarian government. I agree with Orwell in that his warnings outlined in 1984 are still relevant in today's society and appear quite often. Of course I don't believe a totalitarian government is about to take over our government in the U.S., however we all don't live free from the laws that keep our society functioning. We are all governed in some way, with our civil liberties bound at one point or another. Just like in Orwell's 1984, the United States is controlled by political parties that lead our country. The U.S has two major political parties, the Democrats and the republicans. Much like the U.S., Orwell’s 1984 also has two parties, the Inner party and the Outer party. In the United States, one party tends to come to power and gain control. This is also true in the Novel with the Inner Party controlling everything. The government outlined in the novel 1984 shows many similarities to the United States government. Totalitarianism is defined as absolute control by the state or a governing branch of a highly centralized institution. The “Inner Party” runs and controls the whole population of Oceania. Who must abide by the parties wishes and do everything that they are told to do at fear of vaporization or being found out by the thought police. The United States has totalitarian characteristics just like Oceania in 1984. One example of a huge amount of control taken over by the government is the US's Patriot Act. It was passed in 2001 after the September 11th terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.