[Zygote]

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The Shi'ites understand they are not viewed as political masters

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they are viewed as political masters

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they also do not have anything like a plurality of overwhelming force

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If any of the above things you say are true then why is their a civil conflict in Iraq?????

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voluntarism isn't a necessary condition all.

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voluntarism is a necessary condition for legitimacy, IMO. This depends in what way were using and defining legitimate? Other styles of governments may be sustainable but that in no way makes them admirable or fair.

Im defining legitimate as just by means of reasoning. Perhaps this is not the way you are using the term.