Preposterous Universe

 
Western terminology

As far as I can tell, our track record of reaping long-term benefits from our support of repressive and authoritarian regimes is pretty dismal. Yet, we keep on doing it, mostly for short-sighted reasons. Saudi Arabia is the example that has been drawing increasing scrutiny.

The latest charming anecdote: three reformers (Ali al-Demaini, Matruk al-Faleh and Abd Allah al-Hamed) have been arrested for "calling for adopting a constitutional monarchy and using western terminology," among other heinous offences. These are not exactly anarchists we're talking about here -- their role model is Jordan.

I wonder what Western terminology they were using? "Radical, dude"?

~ posted by Sean Carroll at 2:54 PM ~ link ~ ~ ~