Book Research: Harmful Governments in The Hunger Games

All countries have a sense of order in order to maintain discipline over their citizens. Often, this sense is portrayed through forms of government. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, revolves around the dystopian world of Katniss Everdeen. The government in this story plays a vital role in the novel, especially in maintaining discipline over its citizens. In this setting, every year, 24 contestants - or “tributes” - are selected to battle each other to the death, in an event known as “The Hunger Games”. The Games are designed to flaunt the power that the Capitol has, in response to a previous revolt. The Hunger Games is based on an oppressive government, and the characters’ reactions to its harsh laws. Initial to reading this book, it will be beneficial for readers to have a basic understanding of a tyrannical government, including the types of governments, different rebellions, and examples of these in history. 

Types of Government

When the topic of a tyrannical government comes to mind, it is important to first understand the basics: what kind of governments are considered tyrannical? There are, in fact, several different types of government structures. They include: democracy, communism, socialism, and totalitarianism. 

Democracy, according to “Cheat Sheet: 10 Common Forms of Government”, by Evan Thompson, is a form of government that “allows the people to choose leadership” (Thompson 3). Thompson is a certified reporter for The Best Schools, an organization with the goal of finding credible resources for students, and covers higher education topics. He explains, “The primary goal [of democracy] is to govern through fair representation and prevent abuses of power” (3). As a result, democracies tend to settle with solutions which satisfy the majority of the population. The Hunger Games shows little signs of democracy in its government; rather, it is the exact opposite. Its tendency to provide no representation for the majority of the population is a great model for the followers of democracy to avoid. 

Another form of government is communism. Communism is a drastically different form of government, compared to democracy. It idolizes citizens being a part of a “classless society” (Thompson 3), and trades goods and services that are required. The districts of Panem show a slight inclination towards communism as the government values trade amongst these districts, with each area specializing in a different resource. 

On the other hand, socialism is, according to the Oxford Dictionary, a form of government where trade is managed by the “community as a whole” (Oxford Dictionary 1). Clearly, this is quite the opposite of what ideas construct the society in The Hunger Games. 

The Hunger Games’ society is based on limited freedoms, oppression, and absolute control by one person over the population. This is quite similar to the ideologies of totalitarianism. Totalitarianism “holds power…through widespread surveillance, control over mass media, intimidating demonstrations of paramilitary or police power, and suppression of protest, activism, or political opposition” (Thompson 5). The Hunger Games definitely does not shy away from exaggerating and basing its whole plot on these themes. In fact, it could be considered as a role model for totalitarianism. 

After analyzing the Capitol and its harsh ways, it is obvious that it is in no way a democracy. The Capitol’s harsh rules and regulations over its citizens make it safe to assume that it is modeled after totalitarian governments, with trivial aspects of other dictating governments as well. 

Rebellions

The concept of The Games originated as a form of discipline for the districts of Panem. In a rebellion, more than 70 years ago, citizens revolted against the government’s harsh policies. As the government tried to settle the situation, they destroyed District 13, leaving the citizens scared for their fate. Moreover, the government decided to hold “the Hunger Games”, in which 2 minors from each district must battle to the death - until only one remains. While this was one solution to maintaining discipline within the community, the government did not use this as a chance to learn from their mistakes; instead, they added on to it, by oppressing its citizens even more. To understand the reasons for this rebellion and the government’s reaction, it is important to understand the history of previous rebellions in history. 

Often, when government rules are too harsh or to the public’s disliking, the citizens it is enforced upon will react. The article “Rebellions”, by Eric Foner and John A. Garraty, explains that rebellions are “spontaneous and undirected, although the underlying causes of… discontent were real and plain to see” (Foner & Garraty 1). An uncountable amount of rebellions have occurred in history, with one main goal: to express their dislike towards a new idea. 

Shays’ Rebellion is an example of citizens striking and speaking up against laws with which they do not agree. In 1786, the government had imposed strict laws regarding foreclosure and high taxes. The citizens did not agree with this rule, therefore they attacked the government. Similarly, the First Rebellion in The Hunger Games was a reaction to the government’s strict laws. 

Almost all rebellions have been halted by the government through harsh measures, often through solutions such as tear gas, violence, and stricter laws. The Capitol decides to deal with the First Rebellion by imposing much stricter laws than before, and holding a deadly event to suppress, and exert their power to, the citizens. 

Harmful Government in History

As is a common characteristic of dystopia, The Hunger Games is modeled after many issues in history. The most common element of this is the government system, especially its despotic ruler. 

Ivan IV The Terrible was known for his cruelty. According to WorldBook Online, “In the 1560's, he established his personal, arbitrary rule in much of Russia” (WBO 1). He terrorized the majority of the population, and forced peasants to work, similar to serfs, on land. Similarly, Panem is known for terrorizing its citizens, with each lower-class citizen required to work in the industry their district specializes in. Katniss’s father worked in the dangerous conditions of coal mining, as it was his duty as a lower class of District 12. 

Several other harmful governments have shown similar signs of oppression: little freedom of expression, restrictions based on one’s class, and more. These are accurately reflected in Katniss’s world, addressing the issues of these types of governments. 

Conclusion

The Hunger Games is an exaggerated depiction of the dangers the current world can face if specific problems are not addressed. Collins’ work of accurately modeling several different tyrannical governments, including ones in the past, and its respective citizens’ reactions to it, allows readers to reflect on their world today. Dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games force readers to reflect on their own communities; after all, such novels are typically based on real-world conflicts. The United States of America seems to be a world where no one exhibits absolute power; but, it is important for us to realize that while some people live a privileged life, there are a countless number of people who do not. 

Works Cited

"Can We Have Security and Privacy in an Age of Mass Surveillance?" SIRS Issues Researcher, 

Targeted News Service, 29 Aug 2017. Accessed 20 Mar. 2022. 

Foner, Eric, and John A. Garraty. "Rebellions." , 1991. SIRS Issues Researcher, Accessed 20 Mar. 2022. 

“Greek Tyrants.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., Groth, Alexander J. "Authoritarianism." World Book Student, World Book, 2022, Accessed 20 Mar. 2022. 

Thompson, Evan. “Cheat Sheet: 10 Common Forms of Government.” TheBestSchools, 9 Sep. 2021.

Wagner, John A. "Jack Cade's Rebellion." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2022, Accessed 20 Mar. 2022.

White, Sophia. “11 Of the Cruelest Tyrants From History.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 31 Oct. 2015, Accessed 20 Mar. 2022.