My definition of a dystopia is: A society that involves social and governmental oppression, causing severe injustice and lack of freedom.
Dystopian societies often feature oppressive social structures that restrict individual freedoms and enforce conformity. This can manifest through societal norms, expectations, and discriminatory practices that limit personal expression and choice. Dystopias typically involve a powerful and authoritarian government or ruling body that maintains control through surveillance, censorship, propaganda, and other means. We see this in books such as 1984, Handmaid’s Tale, The Hunger Games, etc; This can manifest in several ways but I think it is the central aspect of a society being dystopian. Justice in these societies is usually compromised or non-existent. There are executions and imprisonment based on biased opinions, and they are expected to just go along with it. No one is allowed to oppose what that government/law says, which leads us to the lack of freedom. People in these societies are not allowed to express themselves freely; this is often portrayed through there being laws prohibiting speaking against the common social order or rules. Citizens often have limited autonomy, restricted choices, and face consequences for dissent or non-conformity. The lack of personal freedom contributes to the overall sense of oppression and despair within the society.