Is this progress in Iraq or proof that without a real government, life can still be nasty brutish & short?

Question

'Brutality replaces centuries-old codes of honor as only means of securing respect in today's Iraq"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/21/AR2006102101048.html

Answer 1

Yes, it is generally assumed that we accept the evils of government because without the rule of law force becomes the ruler. Just look at the French revolution, that is democracy in action. Various groups struggling for power and killing off the opposition.

Answer 2

Brutality is what kept Iraq from being like this. Qaddafi, Saddam, and most of the leaders of the middle east have to maintain a hard line to prevent the tribal warfare which plagued their country's since pre-history.

When Saddam ruled Iraq there was no code of honor, the Sunnis ran the place and all other groups treated them with deference to avoid being tortured and killed.

Look at the tribal warfare occurring in Africa to see that there was no code of honor, there was brutal tribal warfare kept in check by brutal leadership.