Disparity

Disparity is one of the central themes of The Hunger Games, and it manifests itself especially in the dynamics between the districts of Panem and the Capitol.

Power
"'Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch--this is the Capitol's way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion.'"

Perhaps the most obvious indicator of the relationship between the Capitol and the districts is in its total and effortless exertions of power over them. Although the districts appear to be responsible for acquiring and processing every significant resource the Capitol uses, each seems to have no access to that resource nor any other aside from what is afforded to them by the Capitol.

Technology
"'I've ridden the elvator a couple of times in the Justice Building back in District 12. Once to receive the medal for my father's death and then yesterday to say my final goodbyes to my friends and family. But that's a dark and creaky thing that moves like a snail and smells of sour milk.'"

It's almost difficult to view The Hunger Games as a science fiction novel at first, considering Katniss' perspective. Living in District 12, Katniss doesn't have access to many artifacts denoting significant advances in technology. She uses a bow to hunt (no guns), has never been in a car, and lives in an area with access to electricity a few hours a day.

However, as the novel progresses, Katniss mentions amazing advances in technology, almost all of which the Capitol controls. From omnipresent cloaking hovercraft to genetically engineered creatures to climate control on a massive level, the world of Panem is revealed to be fantastically futuristic... for certain people.