posted
One of the big reasons touted now for the Iraq war (now that many of the others have turned to have been due to dishonesty and/or incompetence) is that all the surrounding countries will see how well things are going and learn about democracy and want it for themselves.
I'm wondering, when does this turn around and bite us on the butt? That is, how long does it take for Iraq being a big mess with many aspects of life there being worse than pre-war before we start worrying that people are learning the wrong sorts of things about democracy? The idea of a democratic, rights based government involves going quite a bit down the freedom versus security scale in the short term, hopefully so as to yield big benefits in both in the longer term. The problem being that there doesn't seem to be any end to the supposed short term here and the people in charge seem highly resistant to announcing any sort of timetable for when they hope to accomplsih various things.
When do we become concerned that the people opposing democratization are using the situation in Iraq as "Here's what you get when you trust in Americans and their democracy"? I don't see how we can keep failing to bring stability to Iraq indefinitely and still hold out the "people are going to learn from this" as a positive thing.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
You'd think they'd learn just by looking at the West and our success. We are powerful because we have a rich/educated/entrepreneurial middle class that the government is responsible to.
What I think is that the Arab world is stuck in the middle ages... they are ruled by kings and shieks who want to keep it that way. And unfortunatly after centuries of rule, the people want to be ruled. Change will have to come slowly, from within. This is part of the growing pains for them.
In the long run this will be positive for them. Maybe not for the American/West image, but hey, they were and still are insanly jealous of our superiority so nothing we do will ever clear our image with those who want to hate us.
Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
Yup. 'Bout that. Unless you're counting "when do we become concerned" - then it's coming up on three.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
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