I think 1984 is the end game. In the book, the System is all in place and well established. It may have gotten their with private-sector actors, but they have long since been eliminated.
It makes sense, to me, that naked totalitarianism would, in the end, be only the Government. They would eliminate all threats, even those who once helped them.
I think you are correct, though, that a direct path to the end is out of fashion.
That’s a really good point.
We still have too much freedom. So obviously blatant oppression would be rejected. But once they eliminate the ability for the people to check their power, such as those pesky elections (lol), you’re right. They will apply power and control directly.