Numerous countries in the 20th century (China, Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, even USA) have at some point either locked their people away in concentration camps, arrested them for dubious reasons, etc. Millions have been starved to death with no way to defend themselves or grow food.

Such a world does not exist anymore of course just 70 years later, however the culture in my opinion persists-- local authorities continue to feel they have the right to force and intimidation for even the most pedestrian of investigations now, such as for comments made online, rather than for murder.