District 12 is surrounded by fences primarily to keep predators like wild dogs, cougars, and bears out, as stated by Katniss Everdeen in the first book. However, the fence also serves as a tool for the Capitol to control and restrict the movements of District 12 residents, preventing them from hunting, which is crucial for survival. Initially, the fence is not always electrified, but as the series progresses, the electricity is turned on to enforce stricter control.

The reaping system in The Hunger Games is unfair to the poor because it exploits their poverty. Poor families can enter their children's names multiple times in exchange for tesserae, which provide essential supplies. This increases their chances of being selected for the deadly games, unlike those from wealthier backgrounds who do not need extra entries. The system targets vulnerable children, perpetuating exploitation and inequality within Panem's districts.

An example of oppression in The Hunger Games is the annual event where children from each district fight to the death, serving as a reminder of the government's power and the consequences of rebellion. The Capitol enforces control by destroying District 13, suppressing defiance, and monopolizing communication and resources. This systemic control and the looming threat of the Games ensure the districts remain subjugated and fearful.

The Capitol hides information about other districts to prevent unity and potential rebellion against its rule. By keeping districts isolated and focused on survival, the Capitol ensures they remain ignorant of each other's struggles and privileges, preventing alliances. This strategy of "divide and conquer" maintains control by fostering distrust and preventing collective action. The Hunger Games themselves further this division by pitting districts against each other, reinforcing isolation and competition.

Conditions in District 11 differ from those in District 12 mainly in terms of industry and government control. District 11 focuses on agriculture and is heavily controlled by strict peacekeepers, with severe punishments for stealing food. In contrast, District 12, the poorest district, focuses on coal mining and later medicine production. The residents of District 11 typically have darker skin, while those in District 12 usually have olive skin and darker hair.

Katniss loathes Panem's government for its cruelty and the oppressive nature of the Hunger Games, which she finds humiliating and torturous. While she despises the Capitol and its exploitation of the people, she believes in the potential of the land and its people to thrive if freed from the Capitol's oppressive rule.

District 12 is so poor because it likely exists in what was formerly known as Appalachia in the United States. The poverty of this area has a long history, and coal miners particularly have long felt these dire financial hardships. Additionally, the poverty of District 12 exists to further the goals of the Capitol, which seeks to suppress any rebellion which might originate there.

When Katniss meets with her beauty team, the information provided conveys that Capitol values the absurd. They live a life of whimsy and superficiality so that they can ignore the truth of their own role in the Hunger Games.

The government in The Hunger Games is a totalitarian regime, resembling an empire where the Capitol exploits the districts as colonies under mercantilism. Despite having a "President," Panem is not a democracy. The Capitol's citizens live under different rules, enjoying privileges at the expense of the oppressed districts. This structure is akin to a colonial empire with President Snow as a monarch, maintaining control through severe measures and limited civil liberties for most citizens.

Being on camera in "The Hunger Games" influences tributes to alter their behavior to attract sponsors, crucial for survival. Tributes like Katniss play roles, such as the "love story" with Peeta, to gain public sympathy and support, which translates into resources. Cameras also offer a platform for defiance, as seen when Katniss and Peeta's berry stunt challenges the Capitol's authority, knowing the audience's emotional investment might sway the Capitol's actions.