Dystopia Critique
This series perfectly fits the definition of dystopia as it is apart of a society in which individuals experience suffering and/or injustice based on their differences from another part of the population. In this context, based on social class.
Exploitation
Exploitation was displayed various times throughout the series through economic exploitation, labor exploitation, surveillance, sleeve exploitation, and more. Economic exploitation is portrayed as the ultra-wealthy having access to immortality through resleeving technology. The exploitation of their wealth and influence maintains control over resources and technology. Labor exploitation as ordinary citizens regularly live in poverty and struggle to survive in their world. They are exploited for their labor and subjected to harsh working conditions. Sleeve exploitation is prominent as well as this underground industry exploits vulnerable individuals, often targeting minorities. Surveillance is also used as individuals in power have access, and can monitor and control the behavior of the population. Citizens are subject to manipulation as their movements are tracked and analyzed for compliance with societal norms and government policies.
Marginalization
Social stratification, sleeve discrimination, cultural marginalization, and systemic oppression are examples of the marginalization that takes place throughout this series. Social stratification plays a role as the majority of the population is in poverty, while there is a limited higher class. The lower class, or Grounders, are marginalized facing limited access to resources, opportunities, and basic rights. Sleeve discrimination is also prominent as individuals are judged differently based on their physical appearance and the capabilities of their sleeves. Culture Marginalization is also prominent as cultural practices and traditions are often marginalized and appropriated by the higher classes. This cultural marginalization reinforces existing power imbalances and contributes to the social and economic disparities within society.
Powerlessness
Inequality, technological dominance, systemic oppression, and resistance are examples of powerlessness that take place throughout the series. the socio-economic disparities that are present within this series, are incredibly prominent in the series' development as they play a crucial role in contributing to the feels of resistance the lower class experiences. Technological dominance mirrors the same qualities as the ability to reseleeve and monitor surveillance for manipulation purposes and reinforces the sense of powerlessness and lack of agency in the face of technological dominance. Systemic oppression is the same as the lower class has limited access to education, and healthcare and instead has heightened levels of policing and violence.
Cultural Imperialism
The dominance of the ruling elite, appropriation of lower-class culture, and erosion of cultural diversity are various examples of cultural imperialism throughout this series. The dominance of the ruling elite culture such as their values, preferences, and lifestyle choices plays an important role in the culture taken up by the population. The appropriate of the lower class culture for the benefit of the upper class exploits cultural artifacts, traditions, and practices which reinforces existing power imbalances and upholds the stereotypes and prejudices against the lower-class ultimately eroding the cultural diversity of the different populations.
Violence
There are various forms of violence such as systemic, physical, structural, and psychological violence. Systemic violence as oppressive power structures and inequalities lead to widespread suffering and exploitation as the ruling elite must maintain their dominance through coercion, manipulation and the threat of violence against marginalized groups. Physical Violence also occurs prominently throughout the series either combat, assassination and/or torture as the characters use it to gain power, seek revenge, or defend themselves against threats. It is also used to assert control and enforce compliance. Structural violence where systemic inequalities and injustices perpetuate harm and suffering against marginalized communitiies. Economic exploitation, discrimination and the lack of access to resources and opportunities contribute to structural violence, oppression and despair.