The NSA’s public surveillance wire tapping and how it relates to the book 1984 by George Orwell

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English 101
26 April 2015
The NSA’s Public Surveillance Wire Tapping And How It Relates To The Book
INTRODUCTION
Nineteen Eighty-Four, the dystopian novel by George Orwell shows us the picture of the highest forms of autocracy and suppression of the freedom of speech and even thought. While such a dystopia might appear to be far removed from the world we live in, some features of the super-state of Oceania are actually not that different from the ways of our governments. The recent National Security Agency or NSA controversy has exposed the methods of function of surveillance agencies and how little respect they possessed for privacy. These intrusive methods could soon be used as evidence of ‘conspiracy’ against the government and even disallow all forms of criticism.
SURVEILLANCE BY THE NSA
The random and clearly illegal acts of surveillance by the NSA, often in the name of ‘national security’, are a method, which we are well acquainted from despots throughout history. By using the fear of the enemy, the government creates an illusion, which frightens the general populace into surrendering more and more of its rights in exchange of their security. On the other hand, the increasing and arbitrary authority that the fear of the enemy gives the government can be used to root out critics of the government, who can then be prosecuted on charges of sedation or terrorism(Howe; 74) Thus the intelligence agencies are no longer used …