Do you think that President Bush's goal of "spreading democracy" is good policy or naive idealism

Question

Personally I don't think it's a realistic policy. I suppose we can encourage it where people already want democracy, but we can't keep overthrowing governments and imposing "democracy". What do you think?

Answer 1

I think it is a wonderful thought, but unrealistic at best. Countries are in the state they are for a reason. Name one country we have changed into a democracy, there isn't one. We have been trying for generations. I say we concentrate on ourselves and fix the problems we have here at home. Especially before we try helping others, you can't reach out your hand with a broken arm.

Answer 2

It's a policy that exemplifies the spirit of America! It's what a free, super power should and must do.

A world in which the governments answer to the people is a much safer place for everyone.

Is it realistic? That depends entirely on the people who live in the oppressed regimes that we try to help. We can muster up all of the aid and military assistance we have, but if the people in that country won't stand up and fight for their own rights and freedoms, we will fail. That, in a nutshell, is why we failed in Viet Nam.

We had every indication that the people of Iraq would fight for their freedom and rights - the jury is still out on whether that will be the case or not. We have given them the opportunity - let's hope they don't squander it.

Answer 3

I think it's a nice idea, but I believe his techniques to be fundamentally flawed. You can't beat people into loving you. And remember - democracy is more than the "tyranny of the majority" - it must incorporate solid protections for minorities and careful preservation of rights for all people.

Additionally, many of the U.S. actions have made it clear that we're not actually interested in spreading democracy - witness our attempt to foment a coup in Venezuela, or our continued support for friendly dictatorships like Saudi Arabia. And let's not forget our previous anti-democracy actions in Guatemala, Chile, Iran, and Iraq. It's really quite understandable if people don't quite buy the line.

Perhaps if our actions matched our rhetoric, the policy would stand a better chance.

Answer 4

Intervention is a complicated matter that has led us to some great and flawed causes. Stopping a genocidal movement in Somalia I'm all for, but when we stopped the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan we financed the Taliban, a government we would eventually depose. We put Saddam in power, and gave Bin Laden CIA training. What we did in Latin American is even worse. Being no politician I cannot claim a reason for this seeming lack of comprehension, but it appears we see no interests but our own in relation to others. I don't believe it's an idealism, but a deliberate cynicism. We can all thank the Cold War.

Answer 5

You are absolutely right. The US should definitely help fund reform groups in repressive countries, but the idea that we will go in and spread democracy at the end of a gun barrel is flawed. The election results in Iraq speak volumes. Republicans treat this election like it is a major vindication, when, in fact, it merely put a pro-Iranian faction into power. Strengthening our enemies by giving them new regional allies does not make America safer....

Answer 6

Democracy does not work everywhere. For that matter the US in spite of all its rhetoric is not a democracy in the true sense. It is a Republic. Well if bush is serious let him start with his friends the Saudis.

Answer 7

Spreading Democracy is a great idea.
When was the last time we (or anyone else) was attacked by a truely Democratic country?
Look at history, it's the Dictatorships that start wars.

Answer 8

I have to say that I tend to agree with you. I suspect that if and when this Iran mess is ever over, and Iran has a new fully functioning government, the first time they go against our wishes or toward changes from what we helped them establish, some of the uglier side of the U.S.s motives will show through as we take somewhat of an attitude that we own their country, we bought and paid for it with our lives and they're going to do what we say. I love my country, but I am not very trusting of it's true motives for all of the things that it does.

Answer 9

Those that think that Democracy will work there need to study up on the Islam way of living . We are very naive .

Answer 10

It's naive idealism not to realize that spreading democracy just happens to be the biggest wealth producing racket going.
Just look around.