| | A dystopian society may also be imagined as a society where a ruling elite controls the vast majority of wealth and political power while simultaneously disseminating [[propaganda]] to the masses to control the lower and middle classes. This ruling elite may be seen as propagating misinformation in order to socially control the citizens. This propaganda is usually revealed in such a manner that the elite are the caretakers and providers of the lower middle class. | | A dystopian society may also be imagined as a society where a ruling elite controls the vast majority of wealth and political power while simultaneously disseminating [[propaganda]] to the masses to control the lower and middle classes. This ruling elite may be seen as propagating misinformation in order to socially control the citizens. This propaganda is usually revealed in such a manner that the elite are the caretakers and providers of the lower middle class. |
| − | In many [[fiction]]al depictions of dystopian societies, the propaganda—which would be disseminated by an overwhelmingly powerful government (Big Brother) or a totalitarian cabal—would psychologically force the lower classes to believe that they are living in a utopia that represents the culmination and perfection of civilization, where in actuality, crime and bureaucratic corruption are widespread. Typically, a dystopian [[novel]] is intended to comment on what the author perceives to be then current social trends by extrapolating those trends. Sometimes, as with ''[[Animal Farm]],'' the dystopia is presented in the form of an [[allegory]] to get past the [[censor]]s and [[liberal media]]. | + | In many [[fiction]]al depictions of dystopian societies, the propaganda—which would be disseminated by an overwhelmingly powerful government (Big Brother) or a totalitarian cabal—would psychologically force the lower classes to believe that they are living in a utopia that represents the culmination and perfection of civilization, where in actuality, crime and bureaucratic corruption are widespread. Typically, a dystopian [[novel]] is intended to comment on what the author perceives to be then current social trends by extrapolating those trends. Sometimes, as with ''[[Animal Farm]],'' the dystopia is presented in the form of an [[allegory]] to get past the [[censor]]s and [[liberal media]]. In some stories, however, the dystopia is generally depicted rather openly as a dystopia, often with the ruling members making absolutely no secret of how they intended to butcher their own subjects simply for their own amusement and actively seek to make the bad events even worse, with motivations including nihilism and truly enjoying the carnage, with some even advocating for absolute lawlessness and anarchy even when in charge. Examples of this interpretation of dystopia include ''Final Fantasy VI'' with the main villain Kefka Palazzo, in particular during the game's second act. |