If a population is very likely to vote for an extermist party, should we help them become a democracy? Or more importantly, should we actively try to stop them from becoming democratic?
I'm thinking off course of the election of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, or Hamas in Gaza, or the Nazis in Germany.
Democracy is power to the people, but in some cases, do we really want certain groups of people to have power?
Put controversially: Should we be supporting Assad, in Syria?
The very idea is abhorrent. Democracy and self-determination...so long as you agree with us. I think you'd fit in better with the Nazis than with me. From a purely practical standpoint, it is exactly the course of action you are proposing that led directly to the attacks on September 11th, 2001 and indeed are the root cause of all the terrorism against the United States that has occurred in recent decades. People don't like having their elected governments deposed and replaced with repressive US puppet states.
Also, the Nazis in Germany did not come to power through democratic means. They came to power (by which I mean Hitler came to power) through a back-room deal with Hindenburg that was anything but democratic.
But truth, Hajjaj was convinced, held many layers.
Democracy works........ If you are with US! If not then is tyranny. the main flaw in democracy is that people are fucking dumb and easily swayed, and they get to choose their and our leader. Imo we should live and let die. Fuck syria egypt and the lot, lets focus on our democracy first, fix our country first and then help the world. I speak of the world "leaders" and their broken countries.
Of course we should encourage it. The ability for people to choose their leaders, no matter how evil their leaders are, is a fundamental human right. Besides, I would argue that the Muslim Brotherhood scare is overblown. They are essentially a peaceful group. Do I disagree with their ideology? Yes. But I'm not Egyptian; Egyptians are. Let them worry about the consequences of their vote.
A man said to the universe:
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
-- Stephen Crane
So we should encourage it, even if we can reasonably expect them to vote for a regime that will be hostile to our country? (I'm talking about in General, not specifically Egypt). Couldn't that infringe on our right to security? If it does cause a conflict of rights, should we sacrifice our rights for security, for their rights to representative government?Of course we should encourage it. The ability for people to choose their leaders, no matter how evil their leaders are, is a fundamental human right.
You can't prosecute someone for a crime they might commit. If an elected government attacks us, we destroy it. Until then we can only gnash our teeth from a distance. And what about their right to security? Why is our right to security more important than theirs (since I'm assuming you're proposing attacking countries with potentially hostile governments)?So we should encourage it, even if we can reasonably expect them to vote for a regime that will be hostile to our country? (I'm talking about in General, not specifically Egypt). Couldn't that infringe on our right to security? If it does cause a conflict of rights, should we sacrifice our rights for security, for their rights to representative government?
But truth, Hajjaj was convinced, held many layers.
Look. We have the bomb. We're safe. Stop quivering in fear, would ya? It's embarrassing.Quote by: Darklordabc
A man said to the universe:
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
-- Stephen Crane
You are aware, are you not, that Syria's Number One ally after Russia is Iran? THAT Iran; the one with the ayatollahs and the mass hangings and the, uh, "radicals" that so terrify you in democratic elections. THAT Iran supports Syria's murderous Assad regime. Why should the USA in turn support Iran's closest ally in the Middle East? The idea is crazy and just plain dumb.
“I’m not familiar precisely with exactly what I said, but I stand by what I said whatever it was.”
Mitt Romney
None of the countries you listed are true democracies. Maybe that's the problem?
These are just a bunch of nonsensical hypotheticals. You worry too much.
Democracy for democracy's sake is rather pointless. The question is: what do you want this democracy to do? Who will it benefit? These are the important things. Someone like Assad could be elected democratically and still be a complete ass.
I should add that trying to directly impose democracy on another nation has never worked.
I would much rather have democracy. I'd rather roll the dice and hope we get a favorable party in power, rather than let a dictator sit on his throne, throw his support behind Russia or China, and actively threaten America's position as the global hegemon.
Still, I have no interest in setting up proxy democracies in far off countries. Either stand on your own, or collapse.
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