Ava Harper

Jan 29, 2025

Article

...

Ava Harper

Jan 29, 2025

Article

...

The Power Play in Silo: How the Elite Maintain Control

This article contains spoilers for both the Silo series and the book it's based on

Silo is more than just a dystopian drama; it’s an intricate exploration of power, control, and society’s dependence on information. The political system within the silo is not only crucial to the story’s tension but also provides commentary on how power dynamics can shape a community. In the silo, the ruling elite ensures that they remain in control by keeping a tight grip on essential resources and information, and it’s this control that prevents the masses from discovering the truth about their existence.

The Elite at the Top

At the top of the silo’s social structure are the Mayor, the IT department, the Judicial System, and the people who control the vast surveillance and communication systems. These are the individuals who know the most about the silo’s true purpose and the outside world. They make decisions that impact everyone below them, but the crucial point is that they’re the only ones who have access to critical knowledge.

The elites use this power to maintain a sense of order—while also keeping the rest of the silo’s population in the dark. Residents know only what they’re told, and the information they receive is curated in a way that benefits the powers that be. This tightly controlled information system has led to a deeply ingrained fear among the silo’s inhabitants. There’s a reluctance to question authority, because the consequences of doing so are unknown and potentially disastrous.

Fear as a Tool of Control

Fear is an essential tool used by the ruling elite to keep the populace in line. As the silo’s residents live in an enclosed environment, the unknown becomes a powerful motivator. By instilling a fear of the outside world and manipulating the narrative around it, the elite prevent any large-scale rebellion or questioning of the silo’s very existence. The “outside” is painted as a wasteland—a place where no one survives—and anyone caught trying to explore it is condemned to a certain death.

This manipulation is especially evident in the way the silo’s laws are enforced. The punishment for attempting to leave or for discovering the truth about the silo is often severe, serving as a deterrent to those who might think of challenging the status quo. The political system thrives because of this widespread fear, keeping people compliant and unquestioning.

The Silo’s Control Over Information

A key aspect of the silo’s power structure is its control over information. The residents of the silo are taught to fear the outside world, and the most dangerous question anyone can ask is: What’s out there? The silo’s leaders, the elite, are responsible for keeping this question unanswered, enforcing strict rules that prevent anyone from learning too much. Information is tightly regulated, with those who seek the truth often punished or removed from society.

This information suppression leads to a culture of fear and blind obedience. People are led to believe that their survival is dependent on their ignorance of the truth. It’s only through Juliette’s journey that we see how deeply the silo’s control runs—and how dangerous it can be for anyone who dares to challenge it.

The Rise of Juliette: A Spark of Rebellion

One of the most exciting parts of Silo is watching how Juliette, an unlikely hero, challenges the system. As a mechanic, Juliette has always lived outside the usual power structures. When she begins to question the validity of the rules and the lies that have been fed to the residents, she embarks on a dangerous journey that uncovers more than she ever expected.

Juliette’s journey is a direct challenge to the carefully crafted system of control. Her quest for truth forces the audience to think critically about the nature of power. Can a society that is built on fear and manipulation truly survive, or will it collapse under the weight of its own lies?

Juliette’s Failure to Clean: A Spark for Rebellion

In Order, a book of instructions for the elite, a critical line reads: "In the event of a failed cleaning, prepare for war". This ominous statement underscores the seriousness of Juliette’s decision when she is sent outside to clean. The expectation is clear: when someone is sent out to clean, they must perform the task or face dire consequences, including being killed. However, when Juliette goes outside and doesn't clean, she unknowingly sets the stage for a potential uprising.

Cleaning is one of the few acts that the silo’s governing system uses to enforce its power and maintain the fragile peace within the walls. When Juliette steps outside and refuses to clean, she’s not just risking her own life; she’s symbolizing defiance against the established order. In the silo, obedience is mandatory, and failing to adhere to this ritual disrupts the delicate balance between the inhabitants and their rulers.

The danger of not cleaning is immense because it challenges the authority of the silo's leadership. The act of cleaning is not just about maintaining the external sensors—it’s a brutal reminder of the hierarchy and control within the silo. By failing to perform her duty, Juliette is unknowingly igniting the potential for rebellion. Her failure could inspire others to question the rules they live under and, in turn, put the entire system of control at risk.

As Order warns, a failed cleaning could lead to war, not only because of the immediate danger it poses to the individual but because it symbolizes a crack in the foundation of the silo’s control. If enough people start to question the rules and refuse to comply, it could lead to the collapse of the existing power structure and bring the entire silo into conflict.

Juliette’s refusal to clean might seem like a small act, but in the context of the silo’s rigidly controlled society, it is an act of defiance that could have catastrophic consequences. This moment sets the stage for the unraveling of the silo’s carefully constructed world and ignites a fire of resistance that will grow in intensity throughout the series.

The Judicial System in Silo: Maintaining Control

The judicial system in Silo plays a crucial role in maintaining order and control within the silo. Unlike traditional legal systems that focus on justice and fairness, the judicial system in Silo is primarily concerned with preserving the status quo. This system works hand-in-hand with the hierarchy, ensuring that any dissent or rebellion is swiftly dealt with.

The Role of Judges and Law Enforcement

In the silo, the judicial system is represented by a set of officials who interpret and enforce the rules outlined in Order, the book of instructions for the elite. These judges, while not necessarily impartial, hold immense power over the lives of those within the silo. They decide the fate of individuals based on the adherence to the system's laws, and their decisions can be devastating.

The Power of the Sentence

One of the most striking aspects of the judicial system is its authority to impose sentences that can result in exile or even death. In Silo, a failed cleaning — such as when Juliette refused to clean the lens before her exit — can be considered a form of rebellion or defiance, leading to severe punishment. The book Order states that in the event of a failed cleaning, the possibility of war looms. Such incidents are taken seriously and are not just about individual mistakes but about maintaining the structural integrity of the society.

This judicial system, though brutal, serves as a deterrent against any form of resistance or attempts to question the ruling class. It keeps the citizens in line and prevents uprisings from gaining momentum, ensuring the elite's dominance remains unchallenged.

Final Thoughts

The power structure within the silo is meticulously designed to maintain control by limiting access to information and manipulating fear. Juliette’s actions expose the fragility of this structure, raising the question: what happens when those at the top no longer have exclusive control over the truth?

As Juliette continues her fight to expose the truth, Silo raises an important question: How much control do the powerful have over our lives simply because they control the flow of information?