Post by ibrake4rappers13 on Dec 19, 2014 2:02:06 GMT -5
Totalitarian North Korea and George Orwell’s 1984
Written by Sheakwon Vaughn: Before making the comparison, it is important to define what totalitarianism is and what totalitarian governments are. The common accepted definition of the word totalitarian is simply, total control. A country under a leader who exercises total control over the people is, by definition, ruled by a totalitarian government. In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, he wrote about totalitarianism as being everywhere and he referred to it as “Big Brother.” The main character of the book whose name is Winston, wages a campaign against Big Brother. In that context, most freedom loving people can understand and relate to the opposition to such totalitarian governments.
Interestingly, some are of the belief that totalitarian governments are not always as bad as they seem. Those who live under totalitarian rule are not generally known to complain. Instead, they see it as something that is natural in their daily lives. Most Americans find it difficult to comprehend how anyone can live under total control. This belief is perhaps because Americans have experienced too much freedom. North Korea for example, is a totalitarian government and they are ruled by one leader, Kim Jong-Un. The people of North Korea express much love and adoration towards this individual and appear to have undying hope in their leader’s calls for prosperity, and acceptance of reports of progress from diplomats in Pyongyang. Yet while some North Koreans proclaim their love for Kim Jong-Un and blindly accept the government’s claims that conditions in North Korea are favorable, there are just as many who say life is a struggle, says Adam Clark from The Wire. Due to the nature of secrecy within the country, one can only speculate as to the reason for the government reporting to the public that conditions are satisfactory. Speculation in that regard, however, should be obvious.
One of the most disturbing enigmas of North Korea is how it can expect to understand a people if it cannot trust either what they do or what they say. It has become known as a country where nearly all activities are monitored and everything is questioned. According to Ruth Franklin, of New Republic, lies often become reality in totalitarian societies and quite often mimic what might appear on the pages of a work of fiction. The people of North Korea have been subject to what some would consider to be long term cultural brainwashing. Everything is very traditional but whatever is done or said has people wondering how can anyone live in a totalitarian government and expect there to be no conflict among them. Everything is closely spectated and, in a country like North Korea, there is bound to be confusion. The North Korean leadership is seen by the free world as having had a terrible effect upon the lives of the innocent. There are many who desire to rebel; but out of fear, they choose not to.
For anyone daring to rebel or speak out against the establishment, the North Korean government routinely carries out executions secretly. However, it is also common for executions to be in the public eye as an example of the severe consequences that may be imposed if found to be in contradiction to the government. A video of the execution of two men in March 2005 shows about 1,500 persons scattered around a rock ravine watching the two men being tied to white posts and shot from the rear by three soldiers, each of whom fired three times. Just prior to the executions, the charges were read aloud by a North Korean official with a megaphone denouncing them for betraying the fatherland. This was clearly intended to illustrate the consequences of rebelling against the government. It is suspected that some of the people of North Korea who seem to outwardly display constant love for their leader, may in fact inwardly hold extreme contempt for him and would favor rebellion.
George Orwell uses the idea of totalitarianism well throughout 1984. When examined, similarities can be observed between North Korea and the book. Orwell wrote that when a person was viewed as being too good for “The Party” they would be “vaporized.” Similarly, in North Korea, “executed” would be the associated term. Another similarity between Orwell’s work and North Korea is that the people in the fictional Oceania and the people of North Korea both are subject to government oppression and denied free will. Exhibiting behavior that demonstrates obedience to the totalitarian ruler is the only acceptable behavior that enables people to avoid execution. Conversely, Americans are fortunate to have the freedom to live in the pursuit of their own happiness because the United States government is run by a democratic process. Although a single person is elected as president, there is the democratic process that must be followed before any law is passed. Under a totalitarian leader, whatever they say is the law, is the law.
Opinion by Sheakwon Vaughn
thepublicslate.com/2014/09/totalitarian-north-korea-and-george-orwells-1984/
Written by Sheakwon Vaughn: Before making the comparison, it is important to define what totalitarianism is and what totalitarian governments are. The common accepted definition of the word totalitarian is simply, total control. A country under a leader who exercises total control over the people is, by definition, ruled by a totalitarian government. In George Orwell’s novel, 1984, he wrote about totalitarianism as being everywhere and he referred to it as “Big Brother.” The main character of the book whose name is Winston, wages a campaign against Big Brother. In that context, most freedom loving people can understand and relate to the opposition to such totalitarian governments.
Interestingly, some are of the belief that totalitarian governments are not always as bad as they seem. Those who live under totalitarian rule are not generally known to complain. Instead, they see it as something that is natural in their daily lives. Most Americans find it difficult to comprehend how anyone can live under total control. This belief is perhaps because Americans have experienced too much freedom. North Korea for example, is a totalitarian government and they are ruled by one leader, Kim Jong-Un. The people of North Korea express much love and adoration towards this individual and appear to have undying hope in their leader’s calls for prosperity, and acceptance of reports of progress from diplomats in Pyongyang. Yet while some North Koreans proclaim their love for Kim Jong-Un and blindly accept the government’s claims that conditions in North Korea are favorable, there are just as many who say life is a struggle, says Adam Clark from The Wire. Due to the nature of secrecy within the country, one can only speculate as to the reason for the government reporting to the public that conditions are satisfactory. Speculation in that regard, however, should be obvious.
One of the most disturbing enigmas of North Korea is how it can expect to understand a people if it cannot trust either what they do or what they say. It has become known as a country where nearly all activities are monitored and everything is questioned. According to Ruth Franklin, of New Republic, lies often become reality in totalitarian societies and quite often mimic what might appear on the pages of a work of fiction. The people of North Korea have been subject to what some would consider to be long term cultural brainwashing. Everything is very traditional but whatever is done or said has people wondering how can anyone live in a totalitarian government and expect there to be no conflict among them. Everything is closely spectated and, in a country like North Korea, there is bound to be confusion. The North Korean leadership is seen by the free world as having had a terrible effect upon the lives of the innocent. There are many who desire to rebel; but out of fear, they choose not to.
For anyone daring to rebel or speak out against the establishment, the North Korean government routinely carries out executions secretly. However, it is also common for executions to be in the public eye as an example of the severe consequences that may be imposed if found to be in contradiction to the government. A video of the execution of two men in March 2005 shows about 1,500 persons scattered around a rock ravine watching the two men being tied to white posts and shot from the rear by three soldiers, each of whom fired three times. Just prior to the executions, the charges were read aloud by a North Korean official with a megaphone denouncing them for betraying the fatherland. This was clearly intended to illustrate the consequences of rebelling against the government. It is suspected that some of the people of North Korea who seem to outwardly display constant love for their leader, may in fact inwardly hold extreme contempt for him and would favor rebellion.
George Orwell uses the idea of totalitarianism well throughout 1984. When examined, similarities can be observed between North Korea and the book. Orwell wrote that when a person was viewed as being too good for “The Party” they would be “vaporized.” Similarly, in North Korea, “executed” would be the associated term. Another similarity between Orwell’s work and North Korea is that the people in the fictional Oceania and the people of North Korea both are subject to government oppression and denied free will. Exhibiting behavior that demonstrates obedience to the totalitarian ruler is the only acceptable behavior that enables people to avoid execution. Conversely, Americans are fortunate to have the freedom to live in the pursuit of their own happiness because the United States government is run by a democratic process. Although a single person is elected as president, there is the democratic process that must be followed before any law is passed. Under a totalitarian leader, whatever they say is the law, is the law.
Opinion by Sheakwon Vaughn
thepublicslate.com/2014/09/totalitarian-north-korea-and-george-orwells-1984/