The Hunger Games
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Is The Hunger Games capitol communist?
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Rainbow_princess_warrior
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Mar 11, 2013 08:16PM
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oh yes let the discussion begin!!!haha i fucking love goodreads
and you know i think it mite be
and you know i think it mite be
Yeah. Oppressing the people; rationing food, fuel, and wages; designating people to specific jobs... Wanna tell me how it's not communist?
It's extremist/totalitarian for certain. Hard to say whether the extremism is left winged (I.e., communism) or right winged (nazism). It mixes elements if both, but I'm tempted to say it's more towards nazism, because: the games are a substitute for religion (remind me a little of the Nazi Olympics) and private property is recognised.Plus, the allocated jobs, the food /fuel rations are equally valid for both options.
District 13 is Communist because it operates under the idea that everyone is the same. However, in Communist theory there would be not be as huge of a class difference with civilians. Everyone would be poor, whereas in Panem the people of the Capitol are filthy rich while everyone else is poor. In a Communist society, everyone would be poor. However, the police state aspect can be either Fascist or Communist. I never really thought of it as either because I only thought of it as the Roman Empire.
Lauren wrote: "District 13 is Communist because it operates under the idea that everyone is the same. However, in Communist theory there would be not be as huge of a class difference with civilians. Everyone woul..."District 13 is more egalitarian but different than communism. While I agree in theory that in in Communism everyone would be poor, there would still be class differences in practice, though not socially accepted / acknowledged. It would be about all 'having' the same (not necessarily 'being' the same). Those privileged by the regime would still thrive behind close doors. I think of Animal Farm as communist, but not District 13. To me, this District is more like a hive - closer to the Borg.
Panem is obviously inspired by Rome (bread and games), but not really Roman, because for all its faults, Rome had a clear set of moral values - in theory, but also in practice, apparent in their legal system, in the public speech etc. So in a way, Panem is a perverted Rome.
Um... the Capitol was the Western World, and the districts were the Third World. It is a metaphor for how we as a planet divide up our resources, and how the rich on Earth make the decisions that affect everyone.I thought that was pretty clear, actually...
It's not Communist because it has a capitalist model which raises the wealthy to a high level of privilege. Arguably, of course, there were corrupt Communists, pocketing cash instead of distributing it or putting it to good use. I feel it's closer to an oppressive regime which uses an ideology (in this book it's the oppression of anyone who dares to defy authority - but it could equally be a fundamentalist religious ideology)to control the populace. Sure, it's got elements of Communism, but true Communism (ie socialism) was about an attempt to make everyone more or less equal - not that it worked.
It is a metaphor for how we as a planet divide up our resources, and how the rich on Earth make the decisions that a..."This is equally true for a Western society and a Third World country. Real, ultimate power rests with a small number of people everywhere. The only difference to me is what the specific society has to offer to the citizens and the means employed, i.e., how the power is used or misused. I believe it's more of a warning on what people are willing to give up for the illusion of safety: a few rights, then more of them and ultimately all of them, more than it is about resources. Hunger here is a mean of control.
It's a planned economy everywhere except the Capitol, where there are privately owned shops. The Districts are very much like labour camps.The obsession with outer beauty or the reality shows are hardly communists.
The Capitol is nothing like communism, more the opposite - rampant capitalism and the exploitation of the Districts (which are comparable to the poorer countries of today's world, while the Capitol is comparable to the West). District 13 is the closest to communism, i.e. an at least theoretically egalitarian system where everyone gives what they can and takes only what they need. The Capitol is the opposite of this - selfish individualistic consumerism gone mad.
well, people in communist countries are supposed to be treated equally. The capitol does use propaganda against civilians making it more capitalist. I would say not communist.
This book illustrates exactly what happens in communist countries. Those in the government live extravagantly. While the majority are living in misery. The government controls who get what jobs and you are not allowed to rise above your station. Commodities are always scarce because their is no personal incentive to do more than the minimum. Communism is corrosion, poverty, misery and death all for the common good unless you are in government.
I should clarify that people who work for the central goverment live lavishly since in a communist society everyone works for the goverment as there is no private ownership of businesses or farms.
um i have a slight feeling that it might be. but im really not sure if it is.I hope you picked up on my sarcasm, or i will feel really stupid.
A communist Utopia is not achievable as it ignores human nature. Every communist government has been totalitarian. Citizens are controlled, starved and killed. I do not understand why the same people who rail against private sector monopolies, don't have a problem with public monopolies and communism is a monstrous monopoly.
I would equate the games with the gulags and prison camps where all communist countries imprison dissenters. The Games and the camps are a way to keep their citizens in line.
Panem is a Communist totalitarian dictatorship where all the resources and how they are allocated belongs to the Capitol. The districts exist only to provide goods and services for the Capital and most of the citizens live in poverty. It is a police state where the "peacekeepers" use force and threats to keep the people under control. Dissent is outlawed and those who disobey the law are executed, flogged, or turned into Avoxes. The games are another means in which the ruling elite in the Capitol exert their power over the districts. When reading the books I drew parallels between Panem and the Soviet Union and North Korea. In no way is Panem capitalist. The people in the Capitol are wealthy but the majority of them are involved in the government somehow. It was the same way in the former Soviet Union where bigwigs in the Communist Party and high ranking government officials were given access to goods, services, medical treatments not available to the general public. If you think Panem has a capitalist economy you need to brush up on your economics.
The Capitol is capitalist--it's a commentary on the United States, not sure how y'all missed that. The rich are the minority and greatly oppress and benefit from the poor (the majority.) Also, uh, hello--the reality TV show factor. It's straight up commenting on Western society, specifically the US, hence why Panem is located where the US used to be. The peacekeepers remind me of our police officers in the US--let's be real, they're corrupt, abusive, and powerful. I would say District 13 is more communist. Suzanne Collins has pretty much made the capitalism point clear, despite what Miss Brony Icon says (no offense, but they're a fan of Atlas Shrugged.)
Peony wrote: "It's extremist/totalitarian for certain. Hard to say whether the extremism is left winged (I.e., communism) or right winged (nazism). It mixes elements if both, but I'm tempted to say it's more tow..."I am sorry but this has bothered me. If you have been taught that Nazism is an example of an extremist right-wing government, I would like to apologize on behalf of your teachers/instructors/textbooks. Nazism is just another face of communism. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's Minister of Propaganda and close adviser was quoted: "First brown, then red" and used the same propaganda posters as Soviet Russia. Both governments are rooted in socialist economics. Biased texts try to associate Nazism with right-wing extremism but if you think critically you will see there is no true difference between the Nazism and Communism. An example of an "extremist" right-wing government does not exist. Why does it not exist? Because government does not lend itself to freedom but rather decays into corruption and totalitarianism as is displayed in the Hunger Games. An "extremist" right-wing government would probably be best described as Anarchy (i.e. too much freedom). Thus the Capitol is likely Communist. And please stop referring to capitalism as if it is some evil entity that rules peoples' lives. It is a form of economics not government. END OF SCREED.
No it is definitely not communist. I would say district 13 is more communist than Panem. The Capitol is a capitalist society. betting and sponsoring tributes (basically like buying them). I think even Effie mentions that all of Cinna's clothes are selling in the capitol, that again shows it is a very capitalistic society. I think Panem might be borderline fascist than anything else.
AlbertaJenn wrote: "Um... the Capitol was the Western World, and the districts were the Third World. It is a metaphor for how we as a planet divide up our resources, and how the rich on Earth make the decisions that a..."thisss and so much more.. its fucking capitaism !!
The Capitol is not communist. I see it as representing a decadent ruling class which imposes its power over the districts and exploits the labour of the poor. The uprising in the third book is the proletarian revolution that overthrows the bourgeois.
It's clearly a Feudal/Socialist planned economy mixture. So many people trying to make up a metaphor for something that's literal. It's a totalitarian State.
Luis wrote: "It's clearly a Feudal/Socialist planned economy mixture. So many people trying to make up a metaphor for something that's literal. It's a totalitarian State."But in which way is it socialist? Does the working class have control of the State?
"Does the working class have control of the State"Does it ever?
Luis wrote: ""Does the working class have control of the State"Does it ever?"
Perhaps not in any hitherto existing states, but regardless, the Capitol never even claims to be under the workers' control.
I think it is socialism and some communist ideas Since in communism they don't use money, people just work and get what they need. While in socialism their is money and you chose what you want to do with it. This is the same thing in the hunger games. member when Katniss says that hamich was throwing money at the liquor store to buy liquor. You might be thinking what about the Soviet Union, communist China, Mongolia, East Germany, Poland for a time, but they never achieved communism. They were trying to become communist, but i know they were not because the workers were paid with money. This is why i believe that Panem is a socialist sate with some communist ideas.
well yes everyone is equal but they don't get paid with money. They get goods and services they need to survive. And i was taking about how Panem is not a communist state.
Peony wrote: "It's extremist/totalitarian for certain. Hard to say whether the extremism is left winged (I.e., communism) or right winged (nazism). It mixes elements if both, but I'm tempted to say it's more tow..."I agree
Lauren wrote: "District 13 is Communist because it operates under the idea that everyone is the same. However, in Communist theory there would be not be as huge of a class difference with civilians. Everyone woul..."I agree
Victoria wrote: "Communism is everyone is equal, isn't there?"More like, "everyone were told they would be equal".
Silvi wrote: "The Capitol is nothing like communism, more the opposite - rampant capitalism and the exploitation of the Districts (which are comparable to the poorer countries of today's world, while the Capitol..."EXACTLY! Thank you very much for saying that! Was very disappointed about all the misconception of the people here!
Totalitarian capitalism.
AlbertaJenn wrote: "Um... the Capitol was the Western World, and the districts were the Third World. It is a metaphor for how we as a planet divide up our resources, and how the rich on Earth make the decisions that a..."Western World as in the Advanced Economies?
John wrote: "It's not Communist because it has a capitalist model which raises the wealthy to a high level of privilege. Arguably, of course, there were corrupt Communists, pocketing cash instead of distributin..."That's not how capitalism works though, nor is is how capitalism effects the world.
Communism's goal is to have there be no classes, but in practice, it instead creates a more devastating class divide. Unlike in capitalism, this divide cannot be shrunk, the people have no freedom to rise through the ranks of society through fame or fortune, they do not have the freedom of enterprise.
Whenever people picture capitalism, they picture power-hungry corporations, but anyone who's educated themselves on capitalism knows better. Capitalism is, in many ways, the natural order of society, because it was created unintentionally and has always allowed people to become poorer or richer, based on their own choices.
The actual definition of capitalism matches its effect in society.
'Capitalism is a system in which members of the society have the ability to rise through its ranks via fame or fortune, this should take place in a fair and equal economy.
However, no matter how famous, or fortunate, no member of society can take control of it - they can only take control of the state and only if elected by the society. The state serves to benefit the society, not visa versa.'
You have seemingly bought into the misconception of capitalism is, which has been created by marxists in order to make communism seem friendly.
Zach wrote: "Peony wrote: "It's extremist/totalitarian for certain. Hard to say whether the extremism is left winged (I.e., communism) or right winged (nazism). It mixes elements if both, but I'm tempted to say..."I could not agree more, it is important to note that the very comparison made between 'capitalism' and communism is unfair, since the definition of capitalism has been changed by communists in order to make communism seem more attractive.
Meghan wrote: "Yeah. Oppressing the people; rationing food, fuel, and wages; designating people to specific jobs... Wanna tell me how it's not communist?"I also thought the Capitol was more capitalistic and district 13 was very communist
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