Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.

Bovard’s line is a libertarian critique of pure majoritarianism. The “two wolves and a sheep” image dramatizes how a simple vote can legitimize predation when the majority’s interests are aligned against a vulnerable minority. The point is not that voting is worthless, but that democracy requires constraints—rights, due process, constitutional limits, and cultural norms—so that political power cannot be used to strip individuals of life, liberty, or property merely because a majority prefers it. The metaphor also warns against confusing procedure (counting votes) with justice (protecting persons), insisting that legitimate self-government must include safeguards against tyranny by the majority.

“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.”
“Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.”
“Democracy: two wolves and a lamb voting on what’s for dinner.”