Night Watch has Pratchett at his peak awareness, writing about capitalism, oligarchy, corruption, police brutality, and facism, all at once. He even got in bits about how socialist republics struggle to ever organize and reach consensus.
Difficult to name a single #2 but NW is my #1 favorite.
MR is one of the books that vie for #2, but Feet of Clay, Fifth Elephant and Thud also all sit there, just because of the long arc of the Dwarf gender revolution.
Yes! I also have a strong affection for Snuff, especially because it showcases Vimes’ at his best, standing up for people who are considered less-than-people by most of society, including by himself initially. Vimes’ growth throughout the books means a lot to me.
If the people who are hired to create, enforce, and uphold the laws are breaking it and imposing something morally wrong on the general population, it behooves the population to issue a correction by collectively resisting.
I mean, that's pretty true regardless of the rule of law. You can't govern without the consent of the governed, Idc what your system of government is. There are various ways to build that consent, some less nefarious than others, but if the people really want you out, they're gonna get you out FAST.
Even at the most absolutest, divine right of kingsest point of history, said kings still cared VERY MUCH about consent, and appearances, and keeping people onside and not fucking it all up for their own selves.
"I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people," said the man [Vetinari]. "You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides." (p. 337)
Comments
Difficult to name a single #2 but NW is my #1 favorite.
because they are always, always outnumbered if people stop agreeing to follow the law
hat tip to @chriswarcraft.bsky.social for suggesting this one
"I believe you find life such a problem because you think there are the good people and the bad people," said the man [Vetinari]. "You're wrong, of course. There are, always and only, the bad people, but some of them are on opposite sides." (p. 337)