Once you get past the "they are just jealous of us" nonsense.

It makes sense to me that the kind of "government" they have was appropriate for a large tribe in the desert. Maybe there were many decisions regarding all manner of living problems would be made by a single ruler, and property ownership resided with the ruler but the reality of ownership was irrelevant.

With a hunting-gathering sort of existence, even farming and animal husbandry, the division of labor may have made sexual role stereo-typing desireable, too.

And, times change. It could well be that they've outgrown their Sheikdoms, but won't know it until they just plain don't work. The old saying, don't fix it, etc., is true, and it means you have to wait until the breakdown.

Interesting.

Arf