Some of the world's government systems bear similarities to the one that George Orwell created in his book, "1984" as defined for us through the character of Winston Smith. Governments still spy on civilians in their homes, places of work, and through social media and even dictate what and what not to write. It is undeniable that 'we are kept in check.'(George, 1949)
             In his diary, Winston Smith describes a government that oversees every move of society. Every individual was under 24-hour surveillance and 'telescreens,' and microphones monitored whatever they did or say. Anyone that was overheard challenging "Big brother" (the party that ruled the state), or was caught as an offender partaking in undertakings contrary to the party's legislature, would be arrested by the Thought Police. If the Thought Police became involved, a person might disappear forever, and any information on that person would be erased so that no one could prove the person existed. (George, 1949)
             Fear is also another mechanism that our governments use to threaten the process of democracy and the transparency of truth. In "1984", Orwell explains how "the offender is arrested by the Thought Police and may disappear forever. After disappearing, any information of that person is erased, and nobody can prove that this person has ever existed." Take the instance of activists like Martin Luther King who challenged the government and fought for equality. King was shot, and the force of his presence in the fight for equal rights was eliminated.
             The use of propaganda and manipulation is also a major character trait that is used by some governments in their rule of law. This is also demonstrated through Winston Smith in his narration; "All information is falsified in such a way that the party is proved to have always been right meaning that all the information that they had on the dirty dealings at the time before the Party claimed power had disappeared." The gover...