Medieval Muslim polities, although far from theocratic or totalitarian tyrannies, were not politically successful either and therefore ought not to be a model for future Muslim states. The historians of the medieval Middle East can point out undeniable indicators of the failure of the military patronage states (from the Seljuqs to the Mamluks). For example, these states neither legitimatelyrepresented the Muslim community nor offered a sufficient measure of order, peace, or stability.

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