"The people," he said, easily, in an answer to her first question. "They're all perfectly capable of working together, given a good incentive. A good leader just gives the push... and then falls to the background to let them work it out on their own."

Like the Rumeki.

"I grew up in my world's future," he offered, "A madman took control using simple principles: cast conflict upon the world, and whoever comes out strongest lives. The result wasn't pretty. We survived, but barely."