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I read the article and had the same feeling. The details are interesting but the arguments seem weak, particularly his argument about how self-contradictory Orwell was.

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> "It is often the contradictions in an individual’s character that give it distinction; in the case of Orwell, these were more marked and more numerous than in most, but it is not clear whether he was even aware of them."

I gave up right there, this was so grossly condescending to its subject. Orwell was not aware of his own contradictions? Has the author ever actually read any Orwell?

I think they also got confused with the differences between communism, socialism, social democracy, and democracy. Granted we often conflate these terms but there are differences, especially in authority and where that power lies or who it belongs to. Orwell strikes me as a person who was afraid of authority and how power corrupts, or how quickly it can corrupt. Seems like a good reason to criticize communism. Seems like also a good reason to be afraid of the status quo. But you can also be critical of authority and think some is necessary. I think many for a long time have sought to find the balance of authority and democracy. I don't think anyone has found the solution, if one exists.

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