| Summary: | <p>The technological advances in surveillance over the past 20 years have been astounding and are used in both the private and public sectors progressively each day. The extent of technological advances and the impact on our society seem almost reflective of something out of a work of science fiction. This study involves a qualitative content analysis of three early 20th century dystopian novels and news articles from newspapers such as The Guardian, that display current events pertaining to surveillance, including NSA surveillance methods leaked by Edward Snowden. The study relies upon macro sociological constructs, specifically formal social control to explain the social control imposed by our current government with the use of surveillance methods. Upon examination of the novels and news articles, it is revealed that there is a parallel between the novels and our current society which suggests that we live in a surveillance state. The importance of this study is to educate the public on data collection, analysis, and storage involved in the surveillance process. By showing that our current society is a surveillance state, this study expresses the importance of safeguarding our privacy, liberties, and civil rights as a means of reducing governmental social control.
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