Explain the factors resulting in the breakdown of social order in the novel Lord of the Flies.

William Golding's Lord of the Flies is rich in symbolic and connotative meaning, allowing readers to understand it on many levels, from personal psychology to political commentary. Reflecting on the factors that led to the breakdown of social order in the microcosm of the boys' society on the island can provide insights into the macrocosm of modern international politics, revealing how citizens and nations can come under the thrall of fascism and totalitarian regimes, as happened in World War II just prior to Golding's novel.

First, in Lord of the Flies, the society is unable or unwilling to care for its most vulnerable members. Although Piggy is initially concerned about making a roster of the littluns and Ralph charges him in an off-handed way with doing so, the effort fails, and one of the littluns is lost in the first fire. Thereafter only Piggy and Simon, themselves physically disabled with asthma and epilepsy, seem to give any attention to the littluns.

Next there is a predominating emphasis in the society on satisfying short-term needs rather than planning for the future and considering the consequences of one's actions. Thus instead of building shelters and tending the signal fire, most of the boys pursue fun and hunting in their desire for current pleasure and meat. Ralph and Piggy often feel alone in keeping their focus on rescue, the ultimate need of the boys.

Irrational fear plays a role in the society's demise as the boys fall prey to worries about a "beast from water" and as they are plagued by nightmares. This fear might not have been damaging, however, if it had not enabled the rise of an authoritarian leader. Jack takes advantage of the boys' fears and presents himself as a strong protector since he is a hunter.

The willingness of the boys to follow a strong leader, even though they know he is cruel, shifts the balance of power from reason and order toward totalitarianism. Jack offers the boys meat and protection. That he has shown himself to be a bully by punching Piggy and breaking his glasses and an oligarch by trying to silence the free speech of others at the assembly does not bother the boys as long as they can feel the protection of being part of his tribe. No one in Jack's group seems to mind that they violate a basic law of civilization by stealing Piggy's glasses. This shows the boys have given up the moral order in order to achieve the benefits offered by their leader and tribe. 

Finally, the society governed by Jack fully embraces violence and coercion. Piggy is murdered in cold blood, and Samneric are captured and forced under threat of physical harm to join Jack's tribe. Now the desire to stamp out the "other" is strong, and they hunt Ralph to kill him, even though he cannot possibly pose a threat to them any longer. 

The slide from civilization begins with the unwillingness to protect the most vulnerable members, grows by putting pleasure over long-term good, thrives on irrational fears, and culminates when citizens follow a strong, unprincipled leader in order to gain the benefits of protection and inclusion. Such a society will all too easily descend into theft, coercion, murder and persecution of anything perceived as "other."