How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It (The Siege #2)

by K.J. Parker

My experience as an emperor has enabled me to put together a simple rule of thumb, which I’m pleased to be able to pass on to any kings, rulers, governors or members of representative assemblies who may happen to read this. Let’s get rid of this menace, once and for all is always wildly popular, because it appears to promise a solution and nobody will have to think hard about the real problem or do the things that actually need to be done; instead, just blot a few people out and move on.