How do the circumstances and privileges of Luke’s family and Jen’s family differ, and what impact do they have on the family’s lifestyle?

Luke’s country is never named, but its pre-famine history shares many similarities with modern developed countries. How does this contribute to the broader idea that government overreach can happen anywhere?

Jen believes that the government is not competent enough to maintain surveillance of every citizen to enforce the Population Law. If this book took place in modern day United States, do you believe Jen would be correct about this belief? Why or why not?