The fact that 1984, a book about totalitarian leadership, is becoming popular in a world with decreasing democratic values shows that today’s citizens across the world are frightened, likely because of the Big Brother-esque figures appearing in politics. People are slowly losing their rights under the auspices of nationalism and governments are using expansive proxy wars as an excuse to exploit people in other countries for the nation’s benefit. Winston Smith experiences strikingly similar circumstances in his life on Air Strip One. George Orwell payed attention to the world events around him deducing that eventually the decline of moral and ethical standards would lead to massive oppression and suffering.
