“Orwell himself was a committed socialist, and he insisted that “Nineteen Eighty-Four’’ should not be taken as an attack on socialism or the left wing. And, in truth, though the ruling ideology in the book is named Ingsoc (“English Socialism’’ in Oceania’s language of Newspeak), the Party’s aims have nothing to do with collectivizing wealth or any other socialist prescription.”
INTERESTING that the articles author should try to point this out. Socialism by itself and in a perfect world would be great. Many are quick to point out that the Early Church is a model of socialism. Karl Marx himself once a christian merely removed the concept of god from the early christian church model and replaced it with the state.
But the world is never perfect and mankind is never completely altruistic. A ‘committed socialist’ has not yet learned this lesson. They still hope for the day when mankind will abandon the human condition, adopt a universal altruistic nature, and proceed to build a beautiful utopian dream.
But if Orwell is such a genius to have written this landmark literary piece, then how could he have ignored the obvious parallel between the totalitarianism of thought required to implement his ‘committed socialist’ paradise, and the totalitarianism of thought that’s embodied in his literary work.
Perhaps the author is trying to make the point that Orwells ‘committed socialist’ totalitarianism is the altruistic kind, and not the kind that only exists to pursue the increase of it’s own power. ““The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake,’’ Winston is told by O’Brien, the Party official who interrogates him. “
So why is it that Orwell being such a ‘committed socialist’ then doesnt have the required grey matter to account for the human condition?
Jeremiah 17:1 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
I am guessing that the role of Emmanuel Goldstein was played by GW Bush.
An interesting point, and not one I had heard, although I am quite certain it must be true. I've often thought, and occasionally said, that socialism is a kind of perverted, over the top form of Christianity, only without God.
In the end, Winston Smith also came to like rats as well as Big Brother.
“So why is it that Orwell being such a ‘committed socialist’ then doesnt have the required grey matter to account for the human condition?”
Jeremiah 17:1 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Right you are. Man cannot be altruistic for long unless and until he is born again and takes on God’s nature. The nature of man is that of Adam and all it knows is how to sin, no matter how much he wishes he could do well.
Romans, Chapters 7 and 8 capture and lay out these thoughts beautifully.
Seems a lot of BDS is still prevalent in taxachusetts.
One .. a diane-a wrote, to counter BDS;
diane-a wrote:
Thanks Jeff. I am very concerned.
He took over the banks, and is still holding them. But he didn't need to.
He bailed out AIG for insuring MBS's globally, but he didn't need to.
He created a huge government-centered union-biased stimulus package. And he didn't need to.
He 'saved' the auto industry by giving Chrysler to an auto company in Italy. And by giving the union ownership of GM. But he didn't need to.
He kept all of Bush's national security policies. But he didn't need to.
He committed to close Gitmo. And he didn't need to. He said we tortured prisoners. (But the AG Holder said we didn't.) And he didn't need to.
He repeatedly said Islam is good and America is bad. But he didn't need to.
He sent more troops to Afghanistan. But he didn't need to.
He wants to continue military presence in Irag. But he doesn't need to.
He gave $800M to the Palestinians and Hamas. But he didn't need to.
He created tens of thousands of new government jobs. But he didn't need to. He demands States support new regulations for taking Stimulus funds. But he didn't need to.
He authorized a NYC flyby, frightening people. But he didn't need to.
He spent taxpayer dollars for a night in NYC. But he didn't need to.
He fly's in steaks from Japan. But he doesn't need to.
He removed ceremonial swords from the USN Academy graduation. But he didn't need to.
He reduced military spending. But he didn't need to. He increased the budget. But he didn't need to.
He repeatedly talked down the economy until it tanked. But he didn't need to.
He selected an activist judge for the SCofUS. But he didn't need to.
He created 21+ (control) czars (when he already has a full cabinet). But he didn't need to.
He complains about Fox News (when he already has all the other media either promoting his agenda or hiding his problems). But he didn't need to.
The unemployment rate will soon hit 10%, and it didn't need to.
Socialism is like Sex ... voluntary it’s fine ....force someone...it rape