Chris Lee
The Netflix original series Squid Game instantly became a hit with audiences, gaining 111 million views within a month of release and becoming Netflix’s most successful debut. While some watched the show for its creative set design and skilled actors, these are not the primary reasons for the immense coalition of viewers the series has garnered. Rather, the dystopian world of Squid Game resonated with audiences: although the premise of the show initially seems disconnected from reality, it is in fact an almost-perfect depiction of today’s capitalist society.
The plot of Squid Game centers around Gi-Hun, an unemployed and divorced dad who agrees to participate in a series of games to obtain a lucrative cash prize of just under $40 million. The game is more insidious than a simple reward, with participants fighting to the death. As the storyline progresses, participants are subjected to increasingly dangerous games; those that fail are brutally shot and promptly incinerated. Additionally, the moderators structure the games to encourage antagonistic behavior between contestants as people are eliminated, which increases the prize. Amidst unrest and violence, another class of individuals is introduced: the VIPs, who don designer clothing and jewel-embellished masks. While the contestants are quite literally fighting for their lives, the VIPs observe from above, viewing the carnage as entertainment and placing bets on who will survive.
THEY AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY BY CORRUPTING INSTITUTIONS LIKE DEMOCRACY SO THAT THEY NO LONGER WORK FOR THE PEOPLE BUT AGAINST THE PEOPLE.
Squid Game brings forth aspects of society that we often overlook. For instance, regardless of which political party is in control and the different events throughout history, average citizens have not widely benefited from the western brand of capitalism. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, income inequality has continuously grown in the United States, becoming worse than nearly every other developed country in the world. As an increasing number of Americans fight over a smaller portion of the US “wealth pot,” elites have continued to grow their fortunes; they avoid accountability by corrupting institutions like democracy so that they no longer work for the people but against the people.
The Biden Administration’s two infrastructure proposals perfectly encapsulate what American democracy has become. The bipartisan infrastructure bill known as the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” was hailed by many members of Congress as transformative legislation that would rebuild collapsing infrastructure. However, the act does not invest enough to truly fix aging roads and bridges, and instead serves as a vehicle for harmful practices like asset recycling, where private sectors lease public infrastructure from local governments for a duration of time. When for-profit institutions take control of public works, it results in infrastructure that is not functional for the people it is meant to serve.
Restrictions on what private corporations can do with these facilities are sparse and—unlike a publicly owned system—citizens have no reliable way of keeping them accountable.
In contrast to the bipartisan support that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act received, President Biden’s social safety net bill “Build Back Better”—with key provisions such as broader Medicare coverage, paid parental leave, and higher taxes for the ultra-wealthy garnered bipartisan opposition. While Republicans and Democrats were quick to point to issues like the growing federal deficit as an excuse, this was not the true reason for resisting legislation that would greatly benefit most Americans. Rather, this bill worked against the interests of Congress members and their elite donors; after all, practices like raising taxes and paying new parents would only hurt profit margins in the eyes of these wealthy few.
FAILURE IS NOT DUE TO THE CORRUPT INSTITUTIONS THEY HAVE CREATED BUT INSTEAD TO OUR INADEQUACY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO PUT FORTH ENOUGH EFFORT.
While members of the 1% work endlessly to ensure that the system benefits them, they also attempt to create a false narrative for the countless Americans who continue to struggle. Elites claim that if an individual fully dedicates themselves to a cause, they would be able to achieve success. Failure is not due to the corrupt institutions they have created but instead to our inadequacy and unwillingness to put forth enough effort. Those at the top portray their for-profit corporations as a means for average Americans to achieve success; according to them, working will allow us to climb the social ladder and lead to economic prosperity. Although this may be true to a certain extent and a reality for some, it simply is not relatable to the vast majority, as an elite status relies on inequality.
This dynamic is exactly what Squid Game portrays: after the VIPs gain immense wealth through exploiting people who are simply trying to put food on the table, they fund a series of deadly activities as an act of cruel charity. They claim that the games give those who were irresponsible another chance and that all contestants decided to participate out of free will. The only concern held by members of the VIP is evading legal accountability.
As high schoolers, it may seem like there is little that we can do to address corporate money in politics or a Congress that does not work for most Americans. However, in the face of such severe injustice, acting as a bystander is simply not an option. Squid Game achieved global success because it exposed how the world works and who actually holds the reins. With such a profound work and newfound momentum against the status quo, it is our duty to continue this discourse. Furthermore, we must actively seek solutions to the problems we face today, and not let the series act as yet another trend. Ultimately, Squid Game serves as a warning, but warnings do not last forever; we must continue to advocate for the average American and ensure our nation does not become a macrocosm of Squid Game.
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