What is Democracy?
Democracy is a form of government, meaning “ruled by the people” in greek. Where decisions made by the government are dependent on the wishes of the citizens in a state. It's origins can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, in the city of Athens! "The relatively small size of the city enabled the Athenians to practice a form of direct democracy." (Democracy, 2013).
Citizens are able to take part in government by voting independently on an issue that may have an effect on them. The government would then make decisions depending on which choice is favored by the majority. Therefore, the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few.
There are two types of democracy, direct and representative. Direct democracy, is when every citizen in a state is able to cast a vote independently on an issue. This democracy is good for societies with a small population.
Representative democracy is when a group of people are elected to help represent a group of people in making a decision. This democracy is usually seen in larger populations.
Democracy focuses on the freedom of every individual. They believe in human rights; freedom of speech; freedom of beliefs; and freedom of choice. They value human ingenuity, education, and encourages individuals to work, and achieve as much as they can.
Citizens are able to take part in government by voting independently on an issue that may have an effect on them. The government would then make decisions depending on which choice is favored by the majority. Therefore, the needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few.
There are two types of democracy, direct and representative. Direct democracy, is when every citizen in a state is able to cast a vote independently on an issue. This democracy is good for societies with a small population.
Representative democracy is when a group of people are elected to help represent a group of people in making a decision. This democracy is usually seen in larger populations.
Democracy focuses on the freedom of every individual. They believe in human rights; freedom of speech; freedom of beliefs; and freedom of choice. They value human ingenuity, education, and encourages individuals to work, and achieve as much as they can.
Democracy in......Animal Farm?!
Sounds crazy doesn't it? Democracy in Animal Farm. However, George Orwell really did enforce the idea of democracy into such a totalitarian environment. The following would explain why...
The animals believed they were first given democracy, as Old Major specifically stated at the beginning of the novel, “All animals are equal.”. This statement links directly to one of the many characteristics of democracy, where everybody in society receives their own rights, and is treated equally. “...their prime functions is to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion;...” (America.gov, 2008).
However, Old Major never mentioned how a small committee of pigs would be the only ones in Animal Farm to make decisions. In chapter 5, “In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs,” (Orwell, 1945).
This proves a huge connection between Animal Farm and communism, as the power of the state is concentrated on the hands of very few people, or in one dictator. Therefore, communism is usually a society governed by a totalitarian government. In this case, Napoleon the pig.
The pigs violate Old Major’s wishes by establishing a totalitarian government, leaving the animals in a deep whirlpool of confusion, believing they still retain the rights of the seven commandments, when in reality were already long gone.
The animals believed they were first given democracy, as Old Major specifically stated at the beginning of the novel, “All animals are equal.”. This statement links directly to one of the many characteristics of democracy, where everybody in society receives their own rights, and is treated equally. “...their prime functions is to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion;...” (America.gov, 2008).
However, Old Major never mentioned how a small committee of pigs would be the only ones in Animal Farm to make decisions. In chapter 5, “In future all questions relating to the working of the farm would be settled by a special committee of pigs,” (Orwell, 1945).
This proves a huge connection between Animal Farm and communism, as the power of the state is concentrated on the hands of very few people, or in one dictator. Therefore, communism is usually a society governed by a totalitarian government. In this case, Napoleon the pig.
The pigs violate Old Major’s wishes by establishing a totalitarian government, leaving the animals in a deep whirlpool of confusion, believing they still retain the rights of the seven commandments, when in reality were already long gone.
How is Democracy Presented in Animal Farm?
George Orwell shined Communism in a negative light compared to Democracy, as Communism was the idea that led to the downfall of Animal Farm. There were also subtle hints in the novel which exposed the positive reaction from the animals about Democracy, as well as the success it would bring out, instead of tumbling into a Communist society.
George Orwell used Old Major’s speech as an example of his opinion on Democracy. As mentioned previously, Old Major’s speech was centered on more democratic behaviors compared to Communist behaviors, "Let us put it to the vote. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?" (Orwell, 1945). He never mentioned the equal distribution in wealth, and focused more on social aspects. However, George Orwell’s speech was extremely well written and presented, filled with repetition, metaphor and examples, forcing the reader to have a positive light on Old Major, to see him as a wise pig.
The perfection of the speech reflects on the opinion George Orwell has on Democracy, as he believed it would have led to better results compared to Communism. The cries and cheers from the Animals were all part of emphasizing the goodness of Democracy, since the animals truly believed they were given a Democracy. “At this moment, there was a tremendous uproar.” (Orwell, 1945). Old Major’s speech repeated the phrase, “All animals are equal”, clearly showing a characteristic of a Democratic society, where all individuals are equal.
Therefore, George Orwell made good use of subtle criticism in his novel, as Communism during the 1930s was a forced political ideology, and people who were against it were threatened by Stalin’s spies and secret police. According to PBS.org, "These organizations reinforced Stalin’s grip on power and squashed anti-Soviet activities," (PBS: Public Broadcasting Services, n.d.). Orwell’s hidden criticism in Democracy was well written and disguised in the book, and greatly reflects his strong opinions against a Communism society.
References:
socialism. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551569/socialism
democracy. (2013). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/comptons/article-234182
Untitled Document. (n.d.). Welcome to the Word Pirate. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.wordpirate.com/Below%20Decks/The%20Grammar%20Monkey/Propaganda%20and%20Demotic%20Speech.htm
The Right to Education | Education | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (n.d.). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved March 26, 2013, from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/right-to-education/
Characteristics of Democracy. (2008, May 3). Characteristics of Democracy. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from www.america.gov/st/democracy-english/2008/May/20080623194736eaifas0.658703.html#ixzz2NTQD4iE0
Images:
Animal Farm - George Orwell - AudioBook CD Unabridged - Compare Prices and Deals, Shop & Buy Online in Australia at MyShopping.com.au. (n.d.).MyShopping.com.au - Online Shopping Australia - Compare Prices - Shop and Buy Online. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.myshopping.com.au/ZM--534255166_Books
Hill, M. (n.d.). Voter Fraud: The Crime that Disenfranchises Us All | Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii News | Hawaii Reporter | Breaking News Honolulu. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.hawaiireporter.com/voter-fraud-the-crime-that-disenfranchises-us-all/123
George Orwell used Old Major’s speech as an example of his opinion on Democracy. As mentioned previously, Old Major’s speech was centered on more democratic behaviors compared to Communist behaviors, "Let us put it to the vote. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?" (Orwell, 1945). He never mentioned the equal distribution in wealth, and focused more on social aspects. However, George Orwell’s speech was extremely well written and presented, filled with repetition, metaphor and examples, forcing the reader to have a positive light on Old Major, to see him as a wise pig.
The perfection of the speech reflects on the opinion George Orwell has on Democracy, as he believed it would have led to better results compared to Communism. The cries and cheers from the Animals were all part of emphasizing the goodness of Democracy, since the animals truly believed they were given a Democracy. “At this moment, there was a tremendous uproar.” (Orwell, 1945). Old Major’s speech repeated the phrase, “All animals are equal”, clearly showing a characteristic of a Democratic society, where all individuals are equal.
Therefore, George Orwell made good use of subtle criticism in his novel, as Communism during the 1930s was a forced political ideology, and people who were against it were threatened by Stalin’s spies and secret police. According to PBS.org, "These organizations reinforced Stalin’s grip on power and squashed anti-Soviet activities," (PBS: Public Broadcasting Services, n.d.). Orwell’s hidden criticism in Democracy was well written and disguised in the book, and greatly reflects his strong opinions against a Communism society.
References:
socialism. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551569/socialism
democracy. (2013). In Britannica Student Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://school.ebonline.com/comptons/article-234182
Untitled Document. (n.d.). Welcome to the Word Pirate. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.wordpirate.com/Below%20Decks/The%20Grammar%20Monkey/Propaganda%20and%20Demotic%20Speech.htm
The Right to Education | Education | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (n.d.). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved March 26, 2013, from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/right-to-education/
Characteristics of Democracy. (2008, May 3). Characteristics of Democracy. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from www.america.gov/st/democracy-english/2008/May/20080623194736eaifas0.658703.html#ixzz2NTQD4iE0
Images:
Animal Farm - George Orwell - AudioBook CD Unabridged - Compare Prices and Deals, Shop & Buy Online in Australia at MyShopping.com.au. (n.d.).MyShopping.com.au - Online Shopping Australia - Compare Prices - Shop and Buy Online. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.myshopping.com.au/ZM--534255166_Books
Hill, M. (n.d.). Voter Fraud: The Crime that Disenfranchises Us All | Hawaii Reporter. Hawaii News | Hawaii Reporter | Breaking News Honolulu. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.hawaiireporter.com/voter-fraud-the-crime-that-disenfranchises-us-all/123