One of the persistent problems in Middle Eastern politics is a pervasive failure to understand that political reform must envision a steadfast commitment to political processes and institutions, rather than blind commitment to an all-powerful ruler and empty symbolic gestures. In most of the region, and especially Saudi Arabia , political reform means a benignly paternalistic ruler, rather than a brutal one, and lots of so-called bread of circuses?that is: offerings intended to distract attention from a situation–for anyone who could constitute a political challenge. The recent municipal elections in the Kingdom, despite cautious optimism by the western press, should not be taken for anything but yet another circus. It is an empty symbolic gesture from the Saud regime to its own people. It is a gesture to the West, especially to the United States , an attempt to accomplish what billions of dollars and some of America?s best public relations firms have not been able to achieve: paint Saudi Arabia as a benign and legitimate member of the international community.

People associate election with democracy, freedom, and participation, and this is what the Saud government is counting on. However, there does not always have to be a connection between them, and these elections are a perfect example. Only half of the regime?s total municipal councilmen can be elected; the rest are appointed. The candidates were vetted by the government. State-paid Imams and sheikhs heavily backed certain candidates, and they won overwhelmingly. Further, there are no laws appropriating certain rights to these councilmen. The princes are allowed to override any decision they make or usurp authority from them at any turn. Any member of the royal family can still legally take over any business of any Saudi citizen. Saudi citizens can spend their lives building a successful enterprise, only to have it ripped out of their hands by a jealous prince. Political authority is even less respected than private property, and the jealous princes will take whatever they want. Regardless, the attitude among men interviewed at the polls was appreciation at the gesture. But, most of the citizenry seemed to recognize the charade: only 149,000 of 600,000 eligible voters even registered.