The world would be a great deal safer if all countries were functioning democracies?

Question

how do liberals and conservatives respond to this statement?

i mean in term of international relations, not just US

Answer 1

I agree on principle, but here's what's difficult: democracy only truly works if it is chosen by the people.

When you force a democracy on someone who didn't want it, or didn't know to want it, then you create a big problem. Our system of government is not a simple one. It seems simple to US, because we've always had it. No one who is alive today had to craft the U.S. governmental system from scratch. For us, it's always been there. We know of no other way to live.

But to the people of Iraq, this is completely new. They don't quite comprehend it, or comprehend why they should want it. They know they should, because we've told them that. But they don't understand how it works, or why it would make life better for them, because they're a tribal culture. That's how life has always been for THEM. And they're weak, which is why it was so easy for us to swoop in and change their lifestyle overnight. They don't know how to choose for themselves. And that's why their democracy will fail.

So while I agree with the statement you made, I think it's an oversimplification of things. There's no way the entire world will embrace democracy.

Answer 2

If ALL countries were functioning democracies, it would be a safer world. This is because historically, democracies tend not to make war with each other. Being a democracy doesn't make you safer, in fact in the middle east it might make you less safe. And the fact that the world would be safer does not necessarily justify skipping across the globe, conquering governments and installing democracies.

But the answer to your question is yes, the world would be safer if all countries were democracies.

(oh and by my math, 2007-1776 > 200)

Answer 3

A democracy does not make a country safer. If the majority of the population of a nation sponsors terrorism then you still have the same problems. All a democracy can promise is that the people run the country. If those people are fanatics democracy does not make things safer.

Answer 4

That's a good example why half the world hates us. We think the rest of the world should be like us. Democracy works here. That doesn't mean it's possible or even desirable in other places. Do you think Iraq will ever even remotely resemble a functioning democracy? It won't and probably should not be one in the first place. You can't impose democracy on others. It must come from the people.

Answer 5

I disagree. No democracy has ever survived more than 200 years. Usually democracies are the death blow prior to a country going totalitarian.

A democracy will exist until the people discover that they can vote themselves into generous gifts from the public treasury. In other words, those on the dole will vote for the politician who will give them entitlements at the expense of the tax payers.
A democracy is 2 wolves and a sheep voting on whats for lunch.
A republic is the truest form of government beneficial to its people.

Answer 6

That has yet to be seen. The democratic experiment we call America is only 200 years old. Time will tell if this system will work or not. So far, it appears that a very few people have the power over the vast majority, so unless the people start standing up for their constitutional rights, this democracy may be doomed.

Answer 7

No not at all. Pervez was is an elected leader, Iran is a democracy, while are allies include saudi arabia which is run by a king.. It matters not how a country is run if our interests happen to coincide. Further to engage in Regime change in all non-democracies would be impossible and sheer folly. We " Spread Democracy" to cover up that we are just looking to have distribution over oil. We want friendly regimes that we can exert pressure on. Naturally this leads to the Government being less trusted by its citezenry. and we are despised for it .

Answer 8

I don't think all of the people of Iraq would agree with your question.

It's a matter of degrees. Canada, on the world political scale is pretty benign, the US is not. They are both democracies.

There are many different kinds of democracies too. Some countries are stated democracies, but the 'president' is little more than an elected dictator.

Answer 9

The liberals and conservatives are too busy calling shots at each other to listen to reason. The world would be a great deal safer if all countries were functioning pacifists.

Answer 10

It would depend. If the people choose it for themselves without outside influence, the yes. The reality is that most governments are pushed upon their people by outside groups. Honestly, power is an evil addiction. Look at Chavez, was elected democratically, but got the fever for power and in essence has become a dictator on Venezuela. But if the majority people of Venezuela are happy with it, then let them live with their decision.