Summary

The Ruler’s plan for democracy is warmly accepted by the people, the Ruler releases a book of political theory in which he expounds the idea that “what was important in any given country was not the quantity of political parties but the character of the person who personified the head, heart, arms and legs of the state” (703). The Ruler’s new ideas are well received in the West.

Faced with pressure from Gabriel Gemstone, the American envoy, the Ruler clarifies that he will only assume leadership after a given party wins the election. The Global Ministry of Finance and the Global Bank issue a joint statement congratulating the Ruler for abandoning the Marching to Heaven plan and adopting democracy instead. Kaniuru confesses to the Ruler that he killed Nyawira. The Ruler is suddenly depressed that there is nothing else for him to...