Which concept does Animal Farm primarily critique?

The primary critique of Animal Farm is directed at utopian societies and their failures. The novel illustrates how the initial vision of a perfect society, free from oppression and inequality, quickly devolves into a new form of tyranny. As the pigs gain power and become increasingly corrupt, the story showcases how the ideals of the revolution are subverted, leading to the same, if not worse, conditions faced under human oppression.

By presenting the rise and fall of Animal Farm, Orwell illustrates the inherent difficulties in creating an ideal society. The initial hopes of the animals for a better life are crushed by the pigs' betrayal, ultimately portraying the tragedy of utopian dreams when they collide with human nature and power dynamics. This critique serves as a cautionary tale about how noble ideas can be distorted and lead to disastrous outcomes.