The political background in George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’ is centered around the concept of totalitarianism, which is the complete control of a society by a single party or ruler. In the book, the ruling government is the Party, which controls the lives of the citizens of Oceania, one of the three superstates in a global conflict that has been ongoing for decades.

The Party’s ideology is called Ingsoc, short for English Socialism, which is a fictional political ideology that combines elements of communism and fascism. Ingsoc is presented as the only legitimate ideology, and the Party has complete control over all aspects of life, including the economy, the media, education, and even personal relationships.

One of the key tools the Party uses to maintain control is language manipulation. The Party creates a new language called Newspeak, which is designed to limit free thought and restrict the ability to express ideas that go against the Party’s ideology. For example, Newspeak removes words that express ideas of freedom or individuality, such as “rebellion” or “freedom,” and replaces them with words that only express the Party’s approved concepts, such as “crimethink” for thoughtcrime.

The Party also uses a vast surveillance network, including telescreens and hidden microphones, to monitor citizens’ every move and thought. This surveillance is conducted by the Thought Police, who punish anyone who thinks or acts in a way that goes against the Party’s ideology. This leads to a culture of fear and suspicion, where citizens are encouraged to report any behavior that could be considered subversive.

The Party’s power is further reinforced through the use of propaganda and the rewriting of history. The Party controls all media and communication, and it uses propaganda to create an artificial reality that reinforces its ideology and suppresses dissent. History is constantly rewritten to align with the Party’s current policies and beliefs, and any dissenting opinions or evidence that contradicts the Party’s version of history is suppressed or destroyed.

The ultimate goal of the Party is to maintain complete control over the population and ensure its own perpetual power. The Party achieves this through the creation of a cult of personality around the Party’s leader, Big Brother, who is presented as all-knowing and all-powerful. Citizens are taught to love Big Brother and to sacrifice their individuality and freedom for the greater good of the Party.

In conclusion, the political background of ‘1984’ presents a dystopian vision of a society controlled by a totalitarian government. The Party’s ideology of Ingsoc, language manipulation, surveillance, propaganda, and rewriting of history serve to maintain its power and control over the population. The novel serves as a warning against the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of protecting individual freedom and democracy.