On Monday, April 16th, the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that the official definition of a “woman” solely refers to an individual’s biological sex. This decision overlooks the rights to security, freedom, and individuality of people who are already some of the most heavily marginalized in society. While the impacts of the law are still unfolding, it could eventually make it so that discrimination against transgender women in the U.K. becomes much more commonplace. Even more so, it risks undermining the social legitimacy of transgender identities as “real.” Finally, it could easily influence policies relating to transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in other nations, especially in fragile political climates where political leaders are already leaning towards limiting LGBTQ+ rights.

The Hunger Games offers a framework for understanding how narrative functions as a tool of political control through the lens of media, rhetoric, and perception. In Panem, the Capitol doesn’t just eliminate opposition, it controls its image. President Donald Trump’s political strategies have relied on similar mechanisms, creating a parallel between him and President Snow (and the Capitol). In 2016, grievance became branding. In 2020, the campaign prioritized spectacle. Now, in 2025, after a return to the office, that approach has only intensified. This emphasis has shifted from confronting dissent directly to influencing how it is publicly interpreted and politically leveraged.

The weakening of the dollar can be attributed to many factors, including uncertainty about the future, political instability, and declining investment. As a country whose primary export is its currency and financial services, the United States is a critical player in the international economy, and the value of the dollar can have massive impacts domestically and globally.