In a word, totalitarianism. Orwell's insightful novel was published in 1948 and set in 1984--short of the mark--and was frighteningly prophetic for the late twentieth century.
In 1984 the main character, Winston Smith, suffers the loss of his individual prsonality as he is recreated in the Party's image until he not only obeys, but loves Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth (a manufactured "truth") where information is produced and diseminated. His job is to alter or "rectify" all past new articles which have once been "proven" to be false. This rewriting of history was very prevalent with Communist Russia and Orwell allusions are not missed as Big Brother is used to represent Stalin.
The citizens of Winston's society are made to attend Two Minute Hate sessions where they are conditioned to think in certain ways. At this session Winston meets a girl whom he suspects feels as he does. In clandestine meetings he and Julia meet and are able to actually talk to one another and make love. Julia confides that she despises the Party; with this antipathy in common, the two are able to steal precious moments of freedom.
Later, Winston acquires a forbidden copy of Goldstein's book which urges an overthrow of the Party and the secret history of Oceania. Shortly after his reading of this book, Winston is arrested. He is tortured and confesses to various crimes. However, rather than being executed, Winston is subjected to a "cure" for his thoughts. Brain-washed, Winston walks to his execution in the Ministry of Love.
In 1984 Orwell protrays the thought-control of totalitarian governments. His insight is profound, not just in communist countries, but in places where subliminal suggestion now has so influenced people's thinking in free societies. Thus, 1984 is as relevant today as when it was written
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