Chapter 3: The State in International Relations- Nationalism and State Power in Dystopian Futures

In the study of international relations, the role of the nation-state stands at the center of almost every major event and policy decision. Nation-states shape global politics, establish laws within their borders, and navigate complex international relationships. At their best, states provide stability, security, and identity to their citizens. However, the balance of power within states, as well as the type of government that holds power, greatly affects the freedoms, rights, and well-being of the people within them. In The Hunger Games series, the fictional state of Panem provides an extreme, dystopian example of how different forms of governance and political ideologies influence society and individual lives. By examining key elements such as the state, nation, and different political systems, we can explore how power and identity interact within the international system. Through Panem’s portrayal, we’ll see how nationalism and state sovereignty play out in dystopian contexts, influencing everything from regional divides to uprisings against oppression.

 

A state is much more than a piece of land on a map—it’s a structured political organization that exercises authority over a defined territory and population. A state’s role is to maintain order, provide security, and enforce laws that protect its citizens and uphold sovereignty, or the right to govern without interference from outside powers. In The Hunger Games, Panem’s Capitol serves as the seat of power, maintaining strict control over its 12 districts through heavy surveillance, military force, and propaganda. The Capitol exemplifies an authoritarian state, wielding extreme control over every district’s resources, freedoms, and even basic survival. Panem’s stability is tenuous, as this oppressive order leads to underlying tension and, eventually, open rebellion among the districts. Real-world authoritarian states often experience similar instability, where rigid control breeds resentment rather than loyalty among citizens. The dynamics within Panem illustrate how the structure and governance of a state profoundly impact the lives of its people and set the stage for either cooperation or resistance.

While the state represents a structured political entity, a nation is defined by shared identity and culture. A nation is not bound by borders but rather by common characteristics, such as language, history, or ethnicity, which give people a collective sense of belonging. In Panem, each district embodies unique cultural and economic identities, creating distinct communities united by shared labor and survival challenges. District 12, for example, is known for its coal mining and poverty, which shapes its residents’ tough and resilient spirit, while District 4’s fishing industry fosters a distinct coastal culture. Despite their differences, the districts ultimately come together in shared opposition to the Capitol’s oppressive rule. This shared struggle against a common enemy builds a sense of national identity among the districts, even though they have no official statehood or autonomy. Similarly, in real-world settings, marginalized or oppressed groups often find unity in their shared experiences and goals, leading them to identify as a nation despite lacking formal recognition. This process of forming collective identity and solidarity across diverse communities illustrates the power of nationalism as a unifying force.

 

When a nation successfully establishes a government within a defined territory, it becomes a nation-state. A nation-state combines the identity of a nation with the political structure of a state, providing a powerful sense of cohesion and shared purpose. However, in Panem, the Capitol has forcibly imposed a singular state on multiple, distinct nations (the districts), creating an unstable situation where the population does not share a unified national identity. This lack of true unity leads to widespread resentment, as each district feels exploited by the Capitol rather than represented by it. In contrast, countries with strong nation-states—where the population shares a common identity and government—often experience greater stability and unity. However, in Panem, the lack of a cohesive nation-state ultimately drives the districts to seek independence and self-governance, a movement that echoes the real-world struggles for national sovereignty and self-determination that have shaped much of modern history.

 

Democracy, with its emphasis on popular sovereignty and individual rights, offers an alternative to the authoritarian control seen in Panem. In democratic states, citizens choose their leaders through free and fair elections, participate in governance, and have rights protected by laws. Democracy allows for the expression of diverse voices and dissent, reducing the chances of violent rebellion by providing peaceful avenues for change. In Mockingjay – Part 2, when the rebellion succeeds and Katniss meets with the rebel leaders to discuss Panem’s future, the concept of democratic governance surfaces as an ideal for rebuilding society. Although President Coin’s leadership suggests a shift from authoritarian rule, the struggle for democracy remains complex, as the scars left by the Capitol’s control make people wary of centralized power. In many post-conflict societies, establishing democracy requires not only new institutions but also trust among citizens and leaders—an idea reflected in Panem’s shaky path toward democratic reform.

 

 

Socialism provides a middle ground between democracy and communism, with the government owning and managing key industries and resources to ensure greater economic equality, while still allowing for some private ownership and individual freedoms. Unlike communism’s goal of creating a fully classless society, socialism seeks to reduce class divides by providing public access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, and welfare, which the government subsidizes or regulates. In Panem, while the Capitol does not fully embody socialism, the distribution of resources by the Capitol to the wealthier classes in the city—and deprivation in the districts—highlights how control of resources can either foster or undermine social equality. In real-world examples, socialist states attempt to balance public needs with economic stability, but tensions often arise over the extent of state intervention versus individual freedoms, revealing the complexity of achieving true economic equity. This blend of government control and individual rights often presents a compromise between fully centralized control and free-market independence, leading us into a discussion of more centralized, collective systems like communism.

 

Fascism, on the other hand, is an authoritarian ideology that emphasizes extreme nationalism, unity, and loyalty to the state, often enforced by a single leader or party. Fascist regimes prioritize state control, suppress opposition, and demand unwavering allegiance, often using fear and propaganda to maintain power. In Panem, the Capitol embodies many aspects of fascism, as President Snow exercises absolute control over the districts, enforces strict loyalty, and uses brutal repression to silence dissent. The Hunger Games themselves serve as a tool for controlling the population, instilling fear, and reinforcing loyalty to the Capitol. Snow’s rule demonstrates how fascist regimes rely on extreme measures to prevent rebellion, but also how this approach can backfire. The Capitol’s fascist methods ultimately fuel anger and resentment among the districts, setting the stage for revolt. Panem’s portrayal of a fascist state reminds us that such regimes are often unstable, as their reliance on fear and repression can ultimately lead to resistance rather than loyalty.

 

Through these different examples of state organization and political ideologies in The Hunger Games, we gain insight into the challenges and complexities of state power and national identity. From the Capitol’s authoritarian rule to District 13’s collectivist approach, each form of governance reveals different aspects of nationalism, sovereignty, and state control. In the next section, we will explore what happens when states fail to provide for their citizens, examining the causes and consequences of failed states and the efforts to rebuild stability in the aftermath of conflict. By analyzing both fictional and real-world examples, we can better understand the factors that shape state success or failure in the international arena.