What I am saying is that the Iranian and Saudi states likely are legitimate in the eyes of a large chunk of the population, probably the majority. Probably the majority approves of application of shariah law, covering women, stoning adulterers and homosexuals, etc.
I mean, the malcontents in Saudi Arabia trying to bring down the government are mad at it because they think it is too liberal, not because it is theocratic. They're the "let's run planes into skyscrapers" type.
--- Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com> wrote:
> >
> The state is identical with the people?
>
> Iran is a managed democracy. The top leader is a
> religious figure,
> and religious bodies vet candidates for elections.
> (Yeah, I'm sure
> someone will point out that we have a version of
> that in the U.S.
> with money and the media. No shit. True. That's one
> of the reasons I
> have the politics I do.) Only Shia men can hold high
> office. Is that
> what the people want? Yes, within those strictly
> managed parameters.
> But there are no opinion polls in Iran and you can
> go to jail for
> "insulting Islam." So we don't really know what
> Iranians want, do we?
>
> And Saudi Arabia? That's not even a managed
> democracy. It's one of
> the more repressive states around. What the hell are
> you talking about?
>
> Doug
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