Political Views of George Orwell

“George Orwell was a renound English novelist, essayist and critic in the nineties.” Orwell has expressed his opinions regarding topics such as political systems and social values through some of his works, out of which Animal farm is a major example. In this book, Orwell sets up a fictional world for the audience where the idea of power and the ruling systems of our times has been represented in its true form, highlighting all that is wrong with it as well as expressing it in terms that regular people can comprehend and relate to. Orwell’s take on the topic of political ruling can be seen through his words found in his articles and books.

In my opinion, George Orwell was in favour of the democratic system as can be derived from Animal farm, where disdain towards dictatorship and authoritarian ruling is clearly expressed as it is constantly linked with downfall and oppression and there is an inclination towards giving people the power that can be observed.

George Orwell’s stance towards the political systems that prevailed and what he opposed or supported is somewhat visibly expressed in his essay, “Politics and the English language”, in which “Orwell focuses heavily on the dangers posed by authoritarianism and that language manipulation is a powerful tool in the arsenal of tyranny”. This is further validated in his book, Animal farm, specifically in the “old major’s speech where he continually urges the animals to understand their right and fight for it, make their voices heard and never succumb to any forceful authoritarian ruling that was happening under the humans in that farm” It basically conveys how he believes that the public deserves a voice and they have the right to choose the way in which they are ruled, which was also shown through the voting system that was followed once the animals took over the farm, establishing how the public needs to get the most out of what they are doing and it should not be corrupted by any external power. He also managed to portray how whenever there was dictated leadership and enforced power, whether it was the case of Mr. Jones or napoleon, the animals, which can represent the working class suffered and did not get the fruit of what they worked so hard for.

Moreover, one of the most significant messages and morals that can be derived from animal farm is the concept of “power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely as Napoleon becomes more and more corrupted as he gains more power”. All these concepts can be linked back to his support towards the democratic system, where power is always given by the common man and they select the government that will rule over them. The rebellion of the animals that is shown within the story is a reference towards the common man’s right to exercise their vote in a democracy. Through these, evidence of Orwell’s dismay towards the authoritarian system is clearly proved.

However, the question of whether Orwell would still be in favour of the democratic political system in today’s day and age arises. His ideology and inclination towards this system was supposedly derived from the thinking of a just and fair system in which people are treated respectfully and oppression under unfair political power can be avoided, which is done through electing someone of the public’s choice if it were to be explained in simpler terms.

In contrast to this, the democratic system today cannot be labelled as completely and fully pure either. Examples of this system failing and the wrong person being appointed as well as the public being unsatisfied and disappointed are present all around the world, which eventually defeats the purposed of this system. There are many reasons as to why the democratic system has been corrupted, out of which verbal manipulation is an example. Political leaders very often take advantage of the people’s eagerness and wish to find a suitable representative to take them forward and manipulate them with empty promises that are rarely ever lived up to. Furthermore, the power of majority and the influence of the rich over the lower-class acts as another failing factor, where the rich intend to appoint people who give back to them only and in all this a certain lower and middle-class sect stands ignored and deprived despite practicing their democratic right. These are some of the failures of this political system that can be observed very often in recent times.

Therefore, I believe that if George Orwell was alive, his support towards this system would be bound to falter. His idea of absolute power can also triumph within this political system, which is not what he intended to portray through his words at the time. The true and original nature of the democratic political system is very rarely found today, which is the reason his stance on it can possibly change were he here today.

In conclusion, George Orwell was in support of a political system based on democracy and his articles and books are mere proof of that fact. His despise towards the authoritarian system can be noted especially in animal farm as the negativity, cruelty and manipulation that come with it are very clearly established in it. However, in my eyes, his stance and support towards this system might change once he sees how it has collapsed as well in recent times. It merely depends on whether he is able to see a better alternative towards this system or whether he believes that the few negatives that might come with it can possibly be overcome by the overall positive. All in all, many factors can contribute towards a change or alteration in his opinion towards the political system of today.

Bibliography

• Orwell, G. (1945). Animal Farm. Harcourt, Brace and company.
• Orwell, G. (2013). Politics and english language.
• Towers, L. (2014). Retrieved from www.thedukeofluke.weebly.com: http://thedukeofluke.weebly.com/ela-b30-blog/orwells-animal-farm-messages-and-morals
• Woodcock, G. (2020, june 21st). George Orwell. Retrieved november 15th, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell