“There was also the time that the U.S. government hired New York-based Burston-Marsteller, the world’s largest public relations firm, to help sell free market capitalism to the people of Kazakhstan. Among other ideas, Burston-Marsteller developed a television soap opera miniseries glorifying privatization. In one episode, two hapless families desperately want a new house but don’t know how to build it. Suddenly a hot-air balloon descends from the sky, bearing the name ‘Soros Foundation’ in huge letters. Americans spring out, erect the house, and soar away, leaving the awe-struck Kazakhstanis cheering wildly.”

—World on Fire; the end note clarifies, “The balloon episode was never actually produced, on the grounds that it would be too expensive.”