In an attempt to better understand a terribly complex world, I just finished reading books about Iran and Russia. Within an ebb and flow of imperialism verses anti-imperialism, there seems to be an ebb and flow of clerical power verses secular power. Hierarchy imposes its laws and rules, and riding atop all political and social trusts there seems to be a palpable pride in patriotism, patriotism to party, patriotism to state, patriotism to nation…