Collectivism v. Individualism

 V.



The Councils of the world, state and city seem to have a big role in making the society fall into collectivism. The Council took of everything in this society and men are told to obey the Council from the day they are born. However, because of this idea of collectivism and one Council controlling everybody, this society lacks huge development.

Furthermore, any change in the society, the Councils saw as a threat which was why it was such a big deal trying to steal candles. Even a small invention of lighting a candle was a change in the society and it took forever for the Councils to agree upon letting the men use candles. Another reason why it took forever for intelligent men to come up with such simple innovation was because it was forbidden to think about anything else other than what individuals could do for the brothers altogether.

In contrast to the reality, the councils don't expect any rebellions nor threats in this idealistic society. For example, when Equality 7-2521 was locked in jail for not speaking of where he had been at night, it was very easy for him to break out because there weren't any guards nor a strong lock on the chains. This was because there was never a revolt against the government system before. Everybody listened to the government and never complained. The society was completely under the hands of the councils and therefore the society never advanced from collectivism.