Condoleezza Rice: The moral and practical case for democracy promotion

[shockedcanadian]

I agree with her. The spreading and supporting of democracy is good for peace, business as well I might add. On top of it being morally righteous.

Condoleezza Rice: The moral and practical case for democracy promotion

Democratic institutions are the best hope for humankind— including for the Middle East. Stability born of tyranny is a false stability. It is an unequal bargain in which someone oppresses someone else. When people have no way to change their rulers peacefully, revolution may be the only available course. Reform is better, and everything that we can do to encourage and insist upon change is worth doing.

There is both a moral and a practical case for democracy promotion. In the long arc of history, we know that democracies don’t fight each other. The “democratic peace” is observable. No one today is sorry that the United States helped to build a democratic Germany and Japan after World War II. Both had been aggressors against their neighbors and there was no guarantee that they would not be again. Neither country had sustained experience with democracy, and it required time for institutions to take root. But we stood alongside them, and now they help to form the foundation for international peace and prosperity.

No one today doubts that the spread of democracy through most of Latin America, Africa, and Asia and the emergence of free countries in Eastern Europe have been good for the world. In 2016, Freedom House ranked 145 out of 195 countries as “free” or “partly free.” That is a reason for celebration even if there have been setbacks and reversals along the way.

 

[OffensivelyOpenMinded]

I disagree. You can't force democracy on countries and cultures that have no understanding of the concept....and many will flat out reject democracy.

 

[JakeStarkey]

The OP is a beard for neo-con interference in the rest of the world.

 

[shockedcanadian]

I disagree. You can't force democracy on countries and cultures that have no understanding of the concept....and many will flat out reject democracy.

Oddly. This was the prevailing opinion of many post war with regards to Germany and Japan, neither who had been democracies. They are now both allies and powerful economic engines.

You do what you can. It doesn't have to be all out war, it needs to be influence, dialogue and negative ramifications if necessary, such as trade boycotts and the like. You would be surprised to know that even in some countries we see now as uncivilized there are many youth who are sick and tired of extremism. These same youth go to watch Hollywood movies and want to be free to drink, enjoy their lives and make their own decisions.

It takes courage to stand up to extremism in these countries, the least the free world can do is support these brave people.

 

[PurpleOwl]

I agree with her. The spreading and supporting of democracy is good for peace, business as well I might add. On top of it being morally righteous.

Condoleezza Rice: The moral and practical case for democracy promotion

Democratic institutions are the best hope for humankind— including for the Middle East. Stability born of tyranny is a false stability. It is an unequal bargain in which someone oppresses someone else. When people have no way to change their rulers peacefully, revolution may be the only available course. Reform is better, and everything that we can do to encourage and insist upon change is worth doing.

There is both a moral and a practical case for democracy promotion. In the long arc of history, we know that democracies don’t fight each other. The “democratic peace” is observable. No one today is sorry that the United States helped to build a democratic Germany and Japan after World War II. Both had been aggressors against their neighbors and there was no guarantee that they would not be again. Neither country had sustained experience with democracy, and it required time for institutions to take root. But we stood alongside them, and now they help to form the foundation for international peace and prosperity.

No one today doubts that the spread of democracy through most of Latin America, Africa, and Asia and the emergence of free countries in Eastern Europe have been good for the world. In 2016, Freedom House ranked 145 out of 195 countries as “free” or “partly free.” That is a reason for celebration even if there have been setbacks and reversals along the way.

Is that what white people have been doing in Africa, Latin america, and Central Asia? "spreading democracy"?:the residents of these places might have another term for it

 

[EverCurious]

I disagree. You can't force democracy on countries and cultures that have no understanding of the concept....and many will flat out reject democracy.

Oddly. This was the prevailing opinion of many post war with regards to Germany and Japan, neither who had been democracies. They are now both allies and powerful economic engines.

You do what you can. It doesn't have to be all out war, it needs to be influence, dialogue and negative ramifications if necessary, such as trade boycotts and the like. You would be surprised to know that even in some countries we see now as uncivilized there are many youth who are sick and tired of extremism. These same youth go to watch Hollywood movies and want to be free to drink, enjoy their lives and make their own decisions.

It takes courage to stand up to extremism in these countries, the least the free world can do is support these brave people.

Sounds like the info war to me. Good luck, the left (communist/socialists) have a stranglehold atm.

 

[Pogo]

I disagree. You can't force democracy on countries and cultures that have no understanding of the concept....and many will flat out reject democracy.

Oddly. This was the prevailing opinion of many post war with regards to Germany and Japan, neither who had been democracies.

How are you defining "democracy"?

Because Hitler got into position through a vote, riding a political party. Certainly he abused that system but it was the system before he got there.