Jennifer Government

Jennifer Government is a satirical science fiction novel written by Australian author Max Barry. It was officially published in 2003. It was his second novel, following his debut book titled "Syrup."

The story is set in a dystopian near-future where global corporations hold ultimate power and governments operate like businesses. In this world, the wealthy pay for police protection, and individuals take their employers' names as their surnames. The plot kicks off when a corporate executive orders the assassination of a teenager to boost shoe sales.

The novel is a satirical science fiction story, heavily leaning into the cyberpunk and dystopian genres. It functions as a sharp critique of late-stage capitalism, privatization, and corporate greed. The book popularized the concept of a corporate dystopia in modern fiction.

Yes, Max Barry created a massively multiplayer online role-playing game called NationStates to promote the book. In the game, players create and manage their own virtual countries. The game was a viral success and remains active today, long after the book's release.