is a switch from dictatorship to democracy impossible?

Question

epecially from a communist type government. back to another revolution? an uprising of the people?

i suppose what im trying to ask would be how would they overtake the dictator if the whold point of them being under communist rule would be to achieve absolute equality. who would turn the government around, how would they change their ideas to match those of a democratic government and actually turn some people back to have power?

Answer 1

Absolutely, it is quite possible. However, historically it has only worked if it comes from the citizens of that country, not from a foreign power. Russia had a peaceful revolution and transition to democracy in 1991 after over 80 years of communist rule. This was facilitated by a decline in the Russian economy, rampant government corruption, crime, Chernobyl and the subsequent cover-up, the war in Afghanistan, and a host of other factors. The people brought down this evil regime, all without firing a bullet. I must point out however that the current government in Russia under Vladimir Putin cannot be considered democracy, as we know it. There is no freedom of press, freedom of speech and it is more or less run as a police state.

Anyway, after the fall of Russia, all of it's former satellites began to topple one by one, all brought down by the People. Once Soviet authority was gone; there was nothing to hold these countries together as communist states. Most had been seized by Russia after WWII, including East Germany, Poland, Romania and many others. In the USSR, all the territories formerly held by the central communist government in Moscow also toppled. These are all examples of a switch from dictatorship to democracy.

On the other hand, when regime change is imposed on a country by a foreign power, it rarely works. And when it does "work", it is generally temporary until a revolution from the people brings it down. Some examples of communist regime change imposed by foreign countries that have not worked would be
1.Afghanistan by the Soviet regime in 1977. This is very comparable to the attempted French and American interventions in Vietnam.

2 Vietnam by the French the 1950's, and the Americans in the 1960's and 70's.

3. The US attempt to overthrow the "Sandanistas" in Nicauraga.

4. Cuba by attempted assassination of Fidel Castro starting with President Eisenhower, and continueing with President Kennedy. There have also been other covert attempts by the CIA since that time. Also Cuba by attempted invasion using Cuban exiles funded by the US at the "Bay of Pigs."

It is not practical to for one country to impose its beliefs onto another. Revolution must come from the ground up, as shown by own struggle against Tyranny beginning in the 1740's (with an awakening that this country Should be sovereign,) and culminating in the 1781 British surrender at Yorktown, and subsequent signing of the peace treaty in Paris in 1783.

No country wants to have bombs and missiles from a hostile land decide their political future. Self-determination is an inalienable right of human beings.

Answer 2

You can look at examples of Spain, Portugal, Russia (ex Soviet Union) and most of countries of Eastern Europe (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland etc) and Baltic countries. There is no need for bloodshed to get freedom back - if people of the country are united enough and ready for democratic changes (and have at least some kind of support or sympathy from international community), it can happen.
Additional explanation - communism doesn't work and it doesn't promote equality of people (only in theory). If you ever been in any communistic country, you can see it for yourself. Basically, after several decades of civil rights supression and failed promises, people get angry enough to rebel. To mention cases of countries in Eastern Europe and Baltic, which didn't want communism in the first place - they were basically occupied by Soviets. They used opportunity when democratic changes happened in Soviet Union to gain their freedom again.

Answer 3

It may not be impossible, but it may not be a cakewalk either. There path is very turbulent and people have to be ready to face problems during the begining years. They should have Patience and try to help in every way possible for the democratic government to attain stability and later on prosperity.



Njoy....

Answer 4

absolutely if people make up their minds....dictators may seem strong but not stronger than the firm will of people.....in countries like pakistan military takes over because public is not willing to sacrifice for democracy....why could the king mahendra not stay in power when in nepal took a do or die stand...every thing is possible if the will is there.

Answer 5

To have a democracy the people must impose their will on government and become the government by force if need be .

Answer 6

certainly ........... u just take a look at Iraq. ruled for more than two decades by a dictator named Saddam. not even after a decade of UN sanction can topple him. just take a look at Iraq now, a shining example of democracy ........... look at how those free democratic Iraqi are jumping with joy when a us chopper goes down ........... everytime a us soldier is killed. bomb in marketplace ......... bomb in government building ....... bombs everywhere ........ democracy at work? .......... more like anarchy...... why the hell did we get into this mess? how the hell are we going to get out of this mess.

Answer 7

yes . many former communist countries became democracies after the downfall of communism in the soviet union.
with a different degree of 'violence' involved.

Answer 8

Abviously not, umm one country comes to mind....The United States of America

Answer 9

yes its possible.in 2008 when bush leaves office we will be switching from a dictatorship to democracy.

Answer 10

It usually takes a war.