?Maanav Sunderaraman Mr. Lukas English 10 Honors 2 August 2015 Justifying Deceitful Inscription: Totalitarianism in our Homes In his dystopian novel 1984, George Orwell writes about a futuristic society ruled by a totalitarian government. When it was published WW2 had just ended. With the end of Nazi rule, it appeared that the world of 1984 would never see light. But just half a century later, the United States government started spying on its citizens. This shocking revelation came from a former NSA contractor named Edward Snowden. In the PBS Frontline Documentary “The United States of Secrets” “The documents Snowden delivered revealed the history and details of one of the United States government’s most closely guarded secrets. It was known as “the program.”” (PBS) Everyone thought the US government had become a totalitarian entity. But, it is important to remember that totalitarian governments have always existed. Typically, fueled by thirst for power, these governments seek to control weaker citizens with hopes to gain money, land, and acquiring more of everything. But the revelation by Edward Snowden had profound consequences. Not only did the government spy on Americans but it was also spying on the Chancellor of Germany! In essence the United States was no different from a totalitarian government. But one must remember that totalitarian regimes everywhere had initial origins in chaos and it was the chaos of 9/11 that caused our government to instill the Patriot Act. However, no matter what justification is provided, it is simply unacceptable for a government to spy on its own citizens and violate their privacy. In the year 1918 World War 1 ended. This was the first total war and people almost everywhere rejoiced. However with end of the war came a new beginning. The beginning of Totalitarian Regimes in Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union. In The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt argued that Nazi and State communist regimes were new forms of government, and not merely updated versions of the old tyrannies. According to Arendt, the source of the mass appeal of totalitarian regimes is their ideology, which provides a comforting, single answer to the mysteries of the past, present, and future. This definition of totalitarianism can be seen in 1984 where “Big Brother” is practically worshipped by the people despite the fact that he is essentially controlling all parts of their lives. English Philosopher John Locke in his treatise states: “Since governments exist by the consent of the people in order to protect the rights of the people and promote the public good, governments that fail to do so can be resisted and replaced with new governments.” (Locke) John Locke argued that if a government fails its people, the people have the right to replace that government. With this definition one could say that the US Government has failed its people since, Edward Snowden