“One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order to establish a dictatorship.”
- June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950
- Born in India during the British colonial period
- Author, journalist
- Through his representative works “1984” and “Animal Farm,” he presented sharp criticism of totalitarianism and the abuse of power, greatly influencing contemporary literature and thought.
Quote
“One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order to establish a dictatorship.”
Explanation
In this quote, George Orwell offers a critical insight into the dynamics of political revolutions, particularly how they can evolve into authoritarian regimes. Orwell argues that the ultimate goal of many revolutions, once they succeed, is not to protect or preserve the original ideals of the revolution, but to establish absolute control. In this sense, revolution becomes a means to an end, with the end being the establishment of a dictatorship. This quote challenges the romanticized view of revolutions as inherently liberating forces, instead revealing how revolutionary movements can be hijacked by those in power, who use the revolution as a cover for consolidating personal power or building an oppressive regime.
Orwell’s disillusionment with revolutionary ideals is rooted in his experiences, particularly his involvement in the Spanish Civil War, where he witnessed the fracturing of revolutionary factions and the rise of authoritarian control within left-wing movements. In his famous works Animal Farm and 1984, Orwell explores the way in which revolutionary ideals can be corrupted by those who rise to power. Animal Farm specifically illustrates how the initial hopes for equality and justice devolve into tyranny, as the revolution’s leaders become indistinguishable from the oppressive rulers they initially sought to overthrow. Orwell’s quote underscores the betrayal of revolutionary ideals, where power grabs under the guise of revolutionary necessity often result in new forms of dictatorial control.
This idea is still relevant in modern political contexts, where many revolutions or uprisings, once successful, lead to regimes that mirror the very oppression they initially sought to overthrow. The Arab Spring is an example, where uprisings in several countries were driven by the desire for democracy and freedom, only to result in either the continuation of autocratic rule or the rise of new authoritarian leaders. Orwell’s quote serves as a powerful warning about the fragility of democratic ideals and how quickly they can be undermined by those who, once in power, prioritize their own control over the very freedoms they once promised to uphold.
