Reference no: EM133325233

The opening vignette gives a brief discussion of George Orwell's book, 1984. The book is about a society's transformation into a state of total government control over its citizenry complete loyalty to the state by all citizens. The process begins with socialist policies that sound like they are helping the citizens. For example, what about a national health-care program, homeland security policies, or regulations over industry that govern wages and employee benefits? What happens in the long run is that the government grows until it controls all aspects of life from cradle to grave, from prenatal care and early childhood education teaching loyalty to the State, to social security and retirement benefits and dependency on the State. Of course, everything in between is taken care of as well. All are equal. There is no crime. Unfortunately, the trade-off for this utopia is the loss of freedom, the end of families, and the end of personal and intimate relationships.

Do you think the trade-off of love and freedom for equality and security is worth it. If not, how far should the citizenry allow the government to go in creating new policies and programs that lead us in that direction before we also pledge our allegiance to the State at the cost of everything that we truly love and value in life? Do you think that 1984 could happen here? Has it already begun or, is the book just an interesting read?