I once read a sci-fi book called "Songs From Distant Earth" by Arthur C. Clark... At least I think that's the book... It's been years and my memory may be faulty...

In any case... Here's the way I remember it:

Even in the void of interstellar space there are little bits and pieces here and there... A space ship travelling at the very high speeds necessary for interstellar travel would encounter these bits and pieces all along the way and would therefore need a "Shield" to protect it. Over time that shield would be eroded away and need to be replaced.

In this story, the shield was made of water. It was hexagonal and extended way out in front of the ship... As it got smaller and smaller the ship would stop at a "Water Planet" and rebuild the shield before completing it's journey.

They made their pit stop on a Very Peaceful and and Civilized planet... The President of this planets government was the person who best demonstrated that they least wanted to be president. They ended up with mechanics, delivery people, etc... as president.

The end result: a veritable utopia.

When the gov't is run by those with no political ambition who would rather NOT be there at all... in this piece of fiction, anyway... they tended to do what was necessary and correct rather than plot and scheme...

But I like the firing squad idea, too! :)