Democracy as a "Least Worst"

"[L]ogically and empirically, it cannot be the case that "Thou shalt take responsibility for governing the world" is an univocal moral obligation. . . . All civil government is oligarchy; all of it is a few people (to use the language of Jesus) 'lording it' over the rest of us. The value of democracy is the relatively greater capacity which victims and third parties nonetheless have to speak critically."

-John Howard Yoder, On Not Being in Charge

On Not Being in Charge

"Not being in charge of the civil order is sometimes a more strategic way to be important for its survival or its flourishing than to fight over or for the throne."

-John Howard Yoder, On Not Being in Charge