No. of Recommendations: 7
Historically, one of the ways that authoritarian governments have controlled their citizens is by getting them to 'snitch' on their co-workers, classmates, and neighbors.
1984, here we come - from Wikipedia:
In Oceania the upper and middle classes have very little true privacy.[87] All of their houses and flats are equipped with two-way telescreens so that they may be watched or listened to at any time. Similar telescreens are found at workstations and in public places, along with hidden microphones.[87] Written correspondence is routinely opened and read by the government before it is delivered. The Thought Police employ undercover agents, who pose as normal citizens and report any person with subversive tendencies. Children are encouraged to report suspicious persons to the government, and some denounce their parents.[87] Citizens are controlled, and the smallest sign of rebellion, even something as small as a suspicious facial expression, can result in immediate arrest and imprisonment. Thus, citizens are compelled to obedience.