In George Orwell's 1984, what problem most represents the detriment of society, and what does the society in the novel do to perpetuate the problem?

In 's
, he presents a vision of the future founded on theof knowledge and power,
as well as power's most common manifestation, control.  The Party thrives on its ability to
control - and even mold - the population of Oceania.  It does so through the manipulation of
knowledge, specifically the development of an abbreviated language - Newspeak - which
stifles one's ability to express him/herself as an individual.  The Party "rectifies"
news stories that present Big Brother or his policies in anything other than the most positive
of lights.  The Party will silence any dissenting thought, both from within the Party and
without.  The Party's ability to do these things without a real, unified opposition represents
the greatest problem in the society of the novel - ignorance and apathy. 

The
population are largely oblivious to what the Party is doing to them.  As such, they certainly do
not raise a finger to address the problem.  The society of Oceania are spoon-fed what the Party
wants them to know, from the "rectified" news stories to the "Two Minutes of
Hate."  The population are therefore not motivated to question the nature of
things, something on which democratic systems thrive.  The general apathy of the society
perpetuates the problem, because as long as the people are apathetic, they will continue to
remain ignorant of what the Party's true intentions are, and they will not seek the knowledge
that will empower themselves.