The statement 'government is that great fiction' perhaps suggests that government is an elaborate and man - made idea. It's not a tangible, natural thing like a tree or a river. Governments are formed through social contracts and agreements among people. They exist in the realm of ideas and institutions. We give them power and legitimacy, which makes it seem like a sort of fictional entity that has real - world consequences. For example, the way a government's currency system works or its laws on property are all constructs that are part of this 'fiction' that we as a society uphold.
I'm not entirely sure who first said this phrase specifically. It could be from a political philosopher or a thinker who was exploring the nature of government.
This statement might suggest that the idea of government is a sort of grand illusion. Governments are made up of various institutions, laws, and people in power. But in a sense, it's a human - created concept that we've come to accept as real and powerful. It often functions based on the collective belief and cooperation of the citizens. If people stop believing in its authority or following its rules, it loses much of its power.
I think it's not a simple yes or no. The government exists within a framework of laws and institutions, but it also has real power and impact on people's lives. So, calling it a pure legal fiction might be too simplistic.
Often, they are controlling. For example, in '1984', the government, Big Brother, controls every aspect of people's lives, from what they can think to what they can say. They use fear and propaganda to keep the population in check.
Well, in modern society, 'government is that great fiction' can be seen as the government being an artificial creation. It is a system of power and control that is made up by people. For example, the laws and regulations are not natural occurrences but are created by the government. It's like a big story that we all participate in. We vote, pay taxes, and follow the rules as if it's a real and unchangeable thing, but in fact, it's a man - made concept that can be changed and molded by society over time.
As I don't know the specific books on the list, in general, such books might have characters who abuse their power for personal gain. They may show how government systems can be infiltrated by greed and self - interest. For example, characters might engage in bribery or nepotism.
A really good one is 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley. In this book, the government uses genetic engineering and conditioning to create a seemingly perfect but ultimately very controlled society. 'V for Vendetta' by Alan Moore is also a notable one. It features a government that has become tyrannical, and a masked figure fighting against it. Then there's 'Snow Crash' by Neal Stephenson. It has a complex plot involving a future where the government and corporations are intertwined in various conspiracy - like scenarios.
I'm not entirely sure as 'government fiction' isn't a very common term. It could potentially be a series that involves fictional stories related to government operations, like a dystopian view of a government, or fictionalized accounts of real - world government events.
I'm not sure specifically which books are on that 'list of 2009 government corruption fiction books'. But some well - known novels that touch on corruption themes in general could be 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo. It shows elements of organized crime and corruption within a certain power structure. Another could be 'All the King's Men' by Robert Penn Warren which delves into political power and the corrupting influence it can have.