But unlike their absolutist counterparts inthe Gulf and Asia, most royal families have survived because they allow votersto avoid the difficult search for a non-controversial but respected public figure.

网友的质疑是有道理。虽然 and 和 but 都是连词，连接两个平行对等的分句、短语、单词，但是，and 是“同义并列”；but 是“反义并列”。

a non-controversial but respected public figure.（用词不当）

寻找一位没有争议但受人尊敬的公众人物。

a non-controversial and respected public figure.（正确表达）

寻找一位没有争议且受人尊敬的公众人物。