Three competing philosophies of government in Ankh-Morpork

Technically, the city of Ankh-Morpork is a Tyranny, which is not always the same thing as a monarchy, and in fact even the post of Tyrant has been somewhat redefined by the incumbent, Lord Vetinari, as the only form of democracy that works.  Everyone is entitled to vote, unless disqualified by reason of age or not being Lord Vetinari.

And yet it does work.  This has annoyed a number of people who feel, somehow, that it should not, and who want a monarch instead, thus replacing a man who has achieved his position by cunning, a deep understanding of the realities of the human psyche, breathtaking diplomacy, a certain prowess with the stiletto dagger, and, all agree, a mind like a perfectly balanced circular saw, with a man who has got there by being born…

A third proposition, that the city be governed by a choice of respectable members of the community who would promise not to give themselves airs or betray the public trust at every turn, was instantly the subject of music-hall jokes all over the city.

That’s from the first page of Terry Pratchett’s newest Discworld novel, Unseen Academicals, which, hooray hooray, is in the bookstores at last!

Here’s Sir Terry talking a bit about the book.

Comments

[El Jefe]

We love you Unseens, we do/ We love you Unseens, we do/ We love you Unseens, we do/ Oh, Unseens, we love you ....

Someone else who knows the tune, whistle it for Lance. You just made a bright autumnal day in the Northwest that much better knowing I can now skive off the grocery money to buy a new Pratchett....

[Kate]

Lord Vetinari had some brilliant (diabolical) ideas such as having thieves join a guild where they limit their stealing, aren't particularly violent, and the guild keeps the thieves in line. This cuts down on policing costs and keeps the city running more or less smoothly. Vetinari is an interesting tyrant.

I just finished Night Watch for the hundredth time. Whenever this country's behavior just gets too much I reread Night Watch. My copies soon wear out and need replacing.

Long live Commander Sam Vimes!

[burritoboy]

"Lord Vetinari had some brilliant (diabolical) ideas such as having thieves join a guild where they limit their stealing, aren't particularly violent, and the guild keeps the thieves in line. This cuts down on policing costs and keeps the city running more or less smoothly. Vetinari is an interesting tyrant."

This is not only not new, but it was standard practice for well over a thousand years in China for every city to have a "Beggars Guild" which also served as the guild for petty thieves. As shown in v. Gulick's excellent Judge Dee mystery series, the head of the Beggar's Guild (the lovable rogue Sheng Pa) often aids Judge Dee in catching the more diabolical or cruel criminals of the town.