Arthur Seldon has died at age 89.

... the institute [the Institute of Economic Affairs, which Mr. Seldon helped found & guide -- R.] helped change the nature of Britain's national conservation, as it also oversaw the proliferation of more than 100 similar institutions to nearly 80 countries.

This effort was greatly aided by Mr. Seldon's ability to translate complex economic ideas into clear English. He did this both as an editor of all the institute's publications, more than 350, and as the author of 28 books and some 230 articles.

His trenchant phrasemaking became famous, as in this criticism of socialist economies for providing less choice: "Socialism is a vast machine for churning out piles of goods marked 'Take it or leave it.' "

Thank you, Mr. Seldon, for helping Margaret Thatcher crush the windpipe of British socialism under one well-heeled pump.