Quote:
Originally posted by Secret_Agent_Man
It means that most folks don't view democracy as the proper or most important "end" in itself, because political freedom for people with worldviews than our own may well produce policies and actions that we don't like.
When we're dealing with nuclear proliferation, stability and cooperation are the key. As you know, it is a common assumption that democratic governments built on the rule of law with good social institutions are more stable and less likely to engage in wars, etc. That may be true -- but most emerging democracies are weak on the latter two. Remember -- the U.S. fought about 10 wars of various sizes in its first 80 years (including the Civil War) -- most of which we started.
Its hard to say what will emerge from a democratic Islamic country -- we've never seen one. (Malaysia/Indonesia are barely democracies and not strictly Islamic).
S_A_M
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I find your description of the instability of emerging democracies interesting, in light of the fact that we've fought 6 pretty big wars in the last 90 years. But I see your larger point, that democracy isn't a panacea.
But on another level, this is one of the few tenets of our foreign policy I agree with: the political systems that foster the disaffected Arab jihad culture are the same ones who would be threatened by a democracy. Maybe true democracy won't result in pliant regimes like the House of Saud, but I for one am willing to take the 15 Saudis in the 9/11 attacks as an indicator that we need to go another way.
I believe our domino theory rhetoric with respect to Iraq is rather empty if we just turn around and make a deal with a conservative theocratic regime that just slapped democracy in the face. Doesn't that then give every other dictatorship the incentive to at least act like they have some nukes so that we will give them free reign to deal with/oppress their opposition? Why wouldn't our making of this deal be appeasement?
Btw, the Iranians have wasted no time in saying that US recognition of the newly "elected" government must precede any talks:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...323EST0624.DTL
At the same time, they're also making nebulous statements about having acquired nuclear "equipment" from some "dealers on the subcontinent":
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...009EST0463.DTL
It's quite a little dance.
Jeez, I'm gabby tonight. I think I had too much wine at dinner, or else I'm just subconsciously trying to pass the time while my wife watches the Sex and the City hoopla in the living room...
