[Zygote]

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No, democracy only functions when the politically elite group (with some manifestation or control of physical power) feels that has created legitimate government. It does NOT mean totally voluntary. For example, within feudalism, serfs would feel that the King, though not directly elected by them, and perhaps opposed by many of them, was nevertheless legitimate because he was elected in council by their feudal lords. There are many cases of people recognizing legitimate government even when they personally understand it does not further their own aims. Louis XIV could utter a statement like "L'etat, c'est moi" because this kind of Divine Right of Kings (legitimacy conferred by birth and tradition) was firmly ingrained within the ordinary populace's heads.

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What about in Iraq? Most shi'ites aren't complaining about the legitimacy of democracy? IMO, within your example, Saddam was viewed as more legitimate by all.