Book Review: Animal Farm by George Orwell

 

George Orwell’s Animal Farm remains one of the most insightful and enduring political allegories of the 20th century. While Orwell himself was a socialist, the novel’s scathing critique of totalitarianism and the corrupting nature of power carries lessons that resonate deeply with conservative thought. From a conservative perspective, Animal Farm is not just an attack on Stalinist communism but a broader warning against utopianism, government overreach, and the dangers of radical egalitarianism.

The Dangers of Revolutionary Idealism

One of the central conservative lessons of Animal Farm is its exposure of the naïveté of revolutionary idealism. The animals, led by the well-intentioned but ultimately misguided pigs, overthrow their human oppressors in the hope of creating a just and equal society. However, as history—and Orwell’s novel—demonstrates, revolutions driven by abstract ideals often lead to tyranny rather than freedom. Conservatives recognize that human nature is flawed, and radical attempts to reshape society from the top down tend to concentrate power in the hands of the few, ultimately eroding individual liberty.

This aligns with the conservative skepticism of political revolutions that promise utopia. The experience of the 20th century—particularly with socialist regimes—demonstrates that centralized power, even when claimed to be for the “greater good,” inevitably leads to oppression. Animal Farm vividly illustrates this, as Napoleon, the pig who becomes the farm’s dictator, systematically consolidates control, silences dissent, and rewrites history to maintain his rule.

Equality vs. Liberty

Another key conservative theme in Animal Farm is the tension between equality and liberty. The animals begin with the slogan “All animals are equal,” but by the end, it is revised to the infamous: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Orwell exposes how attempts to enforce equality of outcome result not in fairness but in the replacement of one ruling class with another.

Conservatives argue that equality before the law is essential, but enforced economic or social equality inevitably requires coercion. The novel serves as a cautionary tale against policies that seek to level society through state intervention, showing how such efforts create a powerful elite who justify their privileges in the name of “the people.” In reality, as seen with Napoleon and the pigs, these elites exempt themselves from the burdens they impose on others, much like modern-day political and bureaucratic classes.

Tradition, Order, and the Rule of Law

Animal Farm also reinforces the conservative belief in the importance of tradition, order, and the rule of law. The animals’ revolt destroys the existing structures of authority, replacing them with new rulers who lack accountability. Without stable institutions, checks and balances, or a framework of moral and legal constraints, the farm descends into chaos and despotism.

This mirrors the conservative argument that institutions—whether religious, legal, or cultural—provide the necessary stability for a free society. Orwell shows how, in the absence of such safeguards, language is manipulated (as with Squealer’s propaganda), history is rewritten, and power is consolidated in the hands of a small, unaccountable elite. Such warnings are relevant today in an era where ideological movements seek to rewrite history, redefine truth, and dismantle long-standing institutions in pursuit of vague progressive ideals.

Conclusion

From a conservative viewpoint, Animal Farm is a powerful indictment of utopianism, the dangers of unchecked government power, and the folly of radical egalitarianism. Orwell, despite his left-wing sympathies, provides an unflinching critique of how well-intentioned political movements can lead to oppression when they disregard the realities of human nature.

For conservatives, the novel is a reminder that liberty is more important than equality, that power must always be restrained, and that stable institutions rooted in tradition and the rule of law are essential to preserving freedom. In an age where ideological fervor often trumps historical wisdom, Orwell’s Animal Farm remains a crucial read for those who value individual liberty and scepticism toward grand political experiments.