The Financial Times tells us that we should take Terry (Sir Pterry that is) Pratchett seriously as a commentator on this real world around us. The fantasy elements are just there to disguise the pointed nature of the observations on this real world out here.

Pratchett thus combines the social commentary of Boz, the machinations of Machiavelli, the political theory of Mill and the philosophy of Arendt, and all that with wizards, jokes and a grim reaper who could “murder a curry”. Wisdom, humanity and serious social commentary. That sounds like something serious people could do with taking seriously.

The politics of Mill, yes, but there’s also a substantial leavening of the economics of Smith and Ricardo. Even of Mancur Olson as well - the roving bandits live appallingly badly as do their victims, those subject to an enlightened but stationary one do very well indeed. That enlightened nature allowing folk to do their own thing, without interference, to work, invent and trade as they wish.

Throughout that Pratchettian universe it is laissez faire that makes the populace richer. Not an entire “do nothing” order, but one that contains enough order to allow markets and capitalism to flourish. The peace, easy taxes and tolerable administration of justice thing, with that emphasis on both easy and tolerable.

Yes, perhaps people should take this all more seriously.

We’d also point out that - with so many of us here having experience of how this specific industry works - “The Truth” is the best satire on newspapers since Evelyn Waugh’s “Scoop”. Whether Piers M. actually sat for the word portrait of C.M.O.T D. we’re not sure but we do find it explains a lot to think of it that way.