Oceania, the dystopia formed in 1984 by George Orwell, was governed by a lack of privileges. As a child, I remember my parents' primary punishment for being selfish or not sharing was that I had my privileges taken away. For example, if I wouldn't share my toys with my sisters after I was done playing with them, my parents would take the toys away so that no one would get to play with them. The general idea of this was that we couldn't fight over things we didn't have and I wouldn't become obsessed with the privileges I was given. A similar situation was created in Oceania under the control of Big Brother. Nearly all human rights (relationships, individual style, etc.) were taken away from members of this society in hopes that it would prevent any conflict and unite everyone under Big Brother. Individual thought is considered a thought crime and straying from the ways of society is unacceptable. These laws do make everyone equal in having no rights, and they prevent any conflict because there is no motivation for any conflict. Big Brother is able to force conformity and happiness in his society through the process of doublethink. Doublethink forces all members of the society to feel or think whatever Big Brother wants them to regardless of what they may secretly feel. The author even states the basis of the society as blatant lies:
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENTH. (Orwell)
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