I’m fully convinced that in 50 years we will be STUNNED that this was normal once. Just like lobotomies, or smoking in schools.

Dirk Gently is written by people who read Checkhov’s Gun on Wikipedia and then went “how many of these bad boys can we stack on top of each other?” What a rollercoaster of a series

GNU pratchett

Arguably, the Patrician is less authoritarian than the current US head of state. Yes, Vetinari is a Machiavellian despot, but there’s no great leader retorica, no prestige projects, no saber rattling, no lavish court, no scapegoating, and he doesn’t bend or break society to fit his ideals (although there’s tons of nudging and quid pro quo).

This is because he’s every powerful party’s second choice, he would promptly be removed if he upset the delicate dance of Morporkian oligarchy.

You’re out of your element here!