George Orwell was a committed socialist. What he struggled with was the fact that socialism is inherently authoritarian. It has to be.

After reading Homage to Catalonia years ago, I didn't really like the guy. During the Spanish Civil War, he spoke favorably of the ---, which was an absolutely vile organization. But, he was an honest guy, and not afraid to criticize proponent of those things he supported, when they went too far.