Earlier quoted context omitted.
Instead of a single BDFL, you could also have a board of e.g. 3 BDFLs. Those 3 people would have the final word, but they rank equal, and have to come to a common conclusion, e.g. by discussing internally. That only works if the board is not too big, and the people are somewhat compatible to each other. But in that case, I think it works much better, because there is less pressure on a single person, also less work (…
I think the mixed historical record of consul republics might be relevant to why a single leader is often a better idea than 2-3.
And a project that starts with just 1 BDFL, and works fine & builds sth people "love", it'll continue working fine with that 1 BDFL.
If, however, replacing one of those 3, or adding another BDLF to a one person project — I'd think that by default, that won't work.
... Unless the new person has worked next to the earlier BDFLs for years, so the previous BDFLs can be ok certain s/he is "the right one"?
Whatever works fine, works fine — the risky thing, is introducing a change (a new person)?