‘THE HUNGER GAMES’ IS GREAT AND LIBERTARIAN*

Still holds no candle to Romnick & Sheryl.

Up to a few days ago, I had no intention of bothering with ‘The hunger games’ but with all the hype, I figured to give it a read. I just finished book one, which was recently released as a movie.

The story obviously has political implications, what with the state overseeing a destitute majority, a ‘99%’ if you will, and the narrator Katniss seeking to defy the rulers however she can.

Some other things to note (ever-so-slight spoilers, FYI):

• Friendships in this dystopia are more obviously rooted in utility. Katniss’ best friend Gale becomes such due to their compatibility as hunters. While most imagine the best relationships to come of ‘unconditional’ factors, the truth is that people can’t help but seek something in return for one’s companionship, whether this be monetary in nature or just the satisfaction of feeling understood or appreciated.
• State oppression results in black markets, the size of the market depending on the degree of oppression. Katniss’ means of survival is illegal but it’s the only way she can provide for her sister Prim. Furthermore, her clients with whom she trades her kills appreciate what she does without any bad conscience. Business is business.
• The outcome of Katniss’ Hunger Games is one determined ultimately by popular demand. Even an ‘all-powerful’ Capitol-state must compromise for the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Katniss’ decision late in the Games.
• Katniss soon enough recognizes that her true enemies are not her fellow ‘tribute’ contestants, as nasty as some are, but the state itself that makes them battle to the death. Very ‘All quiet on the western front’-ish.
• Even winners of the Hunger Games remain pawns of the state, cronies who feed off the expropriated wealth of others. A victory in the arena is wanting, in terms of actually gaining freedom or dignity.

*With apologies to Stephan Kinsella, who used a similar title for his review of the movie ‘Avatar.’ Kinsella got some flak for stretching green hippie Jim Cameron’s tale into one supposedly espousing libertarianism.

Related articles:

Laissez-Faire Books’ Jeffrey Tucker’s anti-intellectual property angle on ‘Hunger games’

My film review of ‘Avatar’