books George Orwell's 1984 topic: What if there is no Eastasia or Eurasia?

[heavens-champion 1,905]

Those of you who are at least familiar with 1984 by George Orwell will probably be familiar with how there are three super powers called Oceania, Eastasia, and Eurasia, and how they are at war with each other (or not, according to what propaganda the Oceanian government spits out). But what if... there is no Eurasia or Eastasia? What if Oceania is the only thing resembling modern civilization in the 1984 universe, and the places that the Oceanian government claims to be Eastasia and Eurasia are actually just post-apocalyptic wastelands akin to Fallout, Mad Max, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. inhabited by tribals, raiders, bandits, and small settlements, the war is simply propaganda to keep the populace dependent on their oppressors, and if their is a war, it's actually a civil war between different political parties in the Oceanian government, while the Wastelanders are oblivious to all of it, being too busy with their own struggles and everything.

So, what do you guys think?

Edited August 1, 2017 by heavens-champion

[Stone Cold Steve Jobs 22,441]

Orwell wrote that story to be mostly open to interpretation. The existence of Big Brother as an actual person instead of just a figurehead is still out for debate. What you suggested is entirely possible, but based on my recollections of the story it feels less likely, predominantly due to the Proles. I'm sure there are at least a few who fought those battles themselves. Additionally, a world owned entirely by Oceania would be more susceptible to unrest among the people. It's why total control never really works. No matter how powerful you become, by spreading to all ends of the earth you also spread thin, which means stress points where one unchecked rebellion can cause a problem. Sure, the telescreens prevent most such problems, but aren't the Proles free of them? If a handful of proles managed to organize, there could be a serious issue for the Party.

However, the Party is nothing if not crafty. Maybe they have a way around that risk or, at the least, have a plan for damage control? With a government like the Party, one false move will fail an entire uprising.