So, DH and I watched Hunger Games last night. I haven't read the book so not sure if I'm imagining things, but it seemed to me that it was trying to be more clever than your average teen story.
For example, have you noticed the significance of this country's name "Panem"? It means "bread" in Latin and is famously used in the phrase "panem et circences" (= bread and circuses), the only two things necessary to easily rule the people of Rome. Keep the people fed and entertained and they will not only elect you but will be easy to rule. Along with the Hunger Games as Roman circuses, "tributes" as gladiators entering the arena in chariots, the name "Panem" also points at the Roman Empire.
I also thought the whole selection of tributes for Hunger Games, going from their poor towns to rich Capitol to fight for their lives, with the promise (albeit with a small chance) of riches and glory, felt like an allegory for USA's green card lottery - each poor nation's promising young people go to a rich place where the vast majority will be exploited and spat out, enticed with the small probability of power and glory.
Now tell me why I should go read the books because I didn't get it at all 