Should democracy be enfored on people??

Question

look at the collapes of the weimar republic in Germany they were not ready for democracy...so what will happen when iraq is given its democracy from the west? will it collapse & leave way for another Hitler..

Answer 1

One of the fine points people fail to realize is that setting up a democracy is hard. Really hard. Just look at the United States: it took nine years as an ineffectual confederacy, seventy years of political ambiguity over regional over federal authority, many terrible compromises, and a civil war--that to most experts--that is considered the bloodiest civil war ever to be fought to get all the kinks out for us; and we originated the idea of modern democracy! No, democracy--like any other idea system--should not be "pushed" on anyone unprepared.

If we was to be serious about seeding the idea of democracy, I think the following prerequisites would be required:
1) A strong, charismatic, modest leader. In the United States, we had George Washington, the general who led the Revolutionary Army (with the help of the French) to victory over the British. His modesty and confidence in his cause was so great that he turned down dominion over the land he just fought for when the American kingship was offered to him, and this act helped to sway the people and give them faith. To this date, George Washington is the only President to be unanimously elected and reelected to office. Without his cult of personality and his humanity to turn down power when offered, the United States as is it known now would not have happened.
2) A strong tradition of law and representational government. Even though the United States is the first federal democracy, it is directly based on the principles of the British Parliament and British Common Law. It is doubtful if the colonists would have accepted the new government if it didn't bear a resemblance to something they already knew.
3) A desperate need to trust your own countrymen. In the years following the Revolution, there was a real fear--that was well founded--that England sought to recapture the States and its resources and regroup it with its holdings in Canada. The only way the former colonies would survive is together, even though the Southern States hated the Northern States' banking economy, the Northern States hated the Southern States use of slavery, etc., etc..
4) A homogenized populace...at least originally. Originally, the voting populace in America was white, Protestant Anglo-Saxon (or Western European) men; it would be daunting to face how a viable compromise could be made if multiple ethnicity's, both genders, and different perspective on religion and personal liberties had to be factor in at the same time the balance between the states and the federal government had to be hammered out. Finally,
5) A will to do it. If England was the one that forced democracy on the colonies, it would have failed--it would have been an idea that the colonists did not want and was resistant to. Revolutions of this type have to be bred from the inside, among the populace itself; it has to be the people's idea.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

It seems some of the answerers don't understand your question.

The idea of democracy is an interesting one. You could almost ask the people to vote if they want democracy. Some people generally don't want our system exactly like we have or push. Although I'm sure ANY repressed people would love to have a say in government and be able to criticize, by forcing it on a government it can be compared to forcing sex on a person. Although sex is usually a good, healthy thing... forcing it can become a VERY tramatic experience. Forcing democracy can do the same and if the country isn't stable enough can not and will not accept the government type. Not until the people are open to it. Iraqis, although they have a form of democracy, probably aren't ready and you can almost see how easy it would be for, once we've left, a dictator to slip into power by promising fake things and taking over.

So no, democracy shouldn't be forced. Spreading democracy is ok as long as the people are ready and want it and it doesn't always involve our military.

Answer 3

No. I'm from Pakistan, and at the moment we're basically under a sort of dictatorship. Our Priminister is also head of the army. However this regime's days are numbered as everyone abroad is pushing for elections. However the likely candidates lined up for a democratic election terrify me. 3 are living in exile for massive embezzlement of government funds, and trust me it's very obvious embezzlement, and the 4th is the muslim fundamentalist contingency. 1 of these 4 are likely to win since their parties together control most of the parliament. The majority of our people are uneducated therefore easily swayed by promises that will never be kept. So, no, not every country is ready for democracy mainly due to shody checks and balances which lead to widespread corruption. I support the dictatorship mainly due to a lack of better options. At the same time however, no matter how bad the countrys' problems are, I would resent it deeply if any outsider were to bulldoze their way into my country and force it to change. Because none the less it's our country and we'll fix it ourselves.

Answer 4

Democracy cannot be enforced.Only a mature country can continue under democracy.It is the will of the people.It is the people that should be suitable for democracy,by and large Muslims are unfit for democracy.In the case of Pakistan,although democracy was esablished in Pakistan,it slipped bach to militatry rule.Iraq is also unfit for democracy.Some sort of military dictatorship only will survive in Iraq.

Answer 5

Maybe not a Hitler, but the political vacuum that will follow could create opportunities for some un forseen consequence.
I think we are through spreading democracy for the time being.
So far it has not turned out to be all its cracked up to be.

Answer 6

Well have a look in America they have a numpty who the call president but what is he president of he has no power. he lot both houses..so why is he in charge...its mad..he should be out............but seeing as its a forced democracy what can you do, its a case of you voted for me and no matter what i do you cant get shut of me .umm long live democracy

Answer 7

That would be a contradiction in terms. People have to want a democracy.

Answer 8

democracy has been forced on us already.
we used to be a monarchy until some wag called cromwell decided to play dictator for a while.
what a wnaker.

Answer 9

It is a bit of an oxymoron to say 'force democracy'. To force anything is not democracy, is it?

Answer 10

This is exactly what Bush is attempting to do in Iraq. Not working out so well is it? Imagine yourself being in an Iraq'is shoes. How would you feel?