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From Orwel’s 1984 to Assad’s Syria: When Dystopian Fiction Turns Political Reality |
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PP: 23-45 |
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doi:10.18576/wrpsj/080103
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Author(s) |
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Shahd GadAllah,
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Abstract |
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| As we approach the 76th anniversary of George Orwell’s 1984 on June 8th, the novel is a critique of tolerationism, illustrating a fictional world where propaganda, surveillance, and political repression sustain an all-controlling regime. The novel’s theme resonates with real world authoritarian governments, particularly the recently disposed Assad regime in Syria. This article explores how the governance tactics of the Assad regime such as historical revisionism, mass surveillance, state-controlled propaganda and the cult of leadership mirror the Orwellian fictional dystopian mechanisms. By comparing key elements of Orwell’s 1984 with the political atmosphere under decades of Assad regime, the article argues that Orwell’s dystopian vision serves as a lens for understanding modern authoritarianism. This study draws on political science theories of tolerationism, propaganda and regime survival, providing a comparative analysis that bridges literary critique with real world political entities. The findings suggest that the Assad regime through the Ba’ath party, like Orwell’s party, maintained power through fear, monopoly over “truth”, and systematic suppression of any form of opposition. The finding invites a deeper contemplation of Orwell’s cautionary tale, prompting us to consider its implications for understanding and challenging moder authoritarianism. |
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