2 years, 2 months ago
Is the Middle East REALLY ready for "democracy?"
We have spent trillions of dollars, invested countless man hours and resources, and sacrificed hundreds of our troops' lives...For a foreign country. Yet we are still suffering at home, such as the remnants of Katrina.
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M$1 Answer
The answer depends strongly on the country you are referring to. First, Afghanistan (which you put in the tags) is not in the Middle East, but rather in South Asia, so it is outside the scope of the question.
Second, Israel, which is in the Middle East, is already a democratic state.
Next, the Palestinians are probably closest among the Arab countries of the Middle East to being ready for democracy. Paradoxically, after so many decades of intense hatred and violence toward Israel, they have adopted many Israeli ways of doing things, which to some extent includes a sort of democracy, though they still have armed factions such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad which do not follow the lead of the Palestinian "President" Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas can in fact claim that they did win in a democratic election for parliament, which in my opinion just shows that the Palestinian man and woman on the street may still have a bit of a way to go if they prefer a group of fundamentalist terrorists in charge of them over the (corrupt and mostly inept) Fatah leadership. Neither was a good choice, but Hamas IMO was by far the greater evil for their own mostly-secular public.
As for the remaining Arab nations of the ME, it seems that it would be far better to foster first a rule of law, civil rights, protection of minorities, etc. before trying to ram democratic elections down the throats of these societies which do not have the necessary educational background for the majority of their electorate to provide for an educated electoral choice as opposed to populist rabble-rousing.
As an aside, we have not spent "trillions of dollars" on the ME. Based on the numbers I've seen it is still short of one trillion, though it is certainly in the hundreds of billions.
Second, Israel, which is in the Middle East, is already a democratic state.
Next, the Palestinians are probably closest among the Arab countries of the Middle East to being ready for democracy. Paradoxically, after so many decades of intense hatred and violence toward Israel, they have adopted many Israeli ways of doing things, which to some extent includes a sort of democracy, though they still have armed factions such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad which do not follow the lead of the Palestinian "President" Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas can in fact claim that they did win in a democratic election for parliament, which in my opinion just shows that the Palestinian man and woman on the street may still have a bit of a way to go if they prefer a group of fundamentalist terrorists in charge of them over the (corrupt and mostly inept) Fatah leadership. Neither was a good choice, but Hamas IMO was by far the greater evil for their own mostly-secular public.
As for the remaining Arab nations of the ME, it seems that it would be far better to foster first a rule of law, civil rights, protection of minorities, etc. before trying to ram democratic elections down the throats of these societies which do not have the necessary educational background for the majority of their electorate to provide for an educated electoral choice as opposed to populist rabble-rousing.
As an aside, we have not spent "trillions of dollars" on the ME. Based on the numbers I've seen it is still short of one trillion, though it is certainly in the hundreds of billions.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
My answer concentrated on the readiness (or lack thereof) of the relevant societies, not the willingness of the current regimes to change into democratically elected governments. Obviously few monarchies and assorted dictatorial regimes are likely to welcome being relegated to the dust-bin of history.
Yes, that's fine @opher. I don't see anything wrong with your argument. It’s just that I find odd, that the richer these nations become, the oddest it seemed their anachronic model of government.
They are ruled by these Sultans, who profit on just their family nexus, that some camel Bedouin granddad passed onto them, and today they are living in paradise thanks to the oil that happened to be by luck under their sands.
They fulfill all the needs of their small population (like the 200.000 lousy Emirati inhabitants in the UAE) and in return their people don't ask for any political reforms, don't feel inclined to do so, and worship these leaders without questioning their status, their wealth or their decisions.
Is as if their cultural believes would not allow them the luxury of opinion, freedom of speech and self determination. They permit the Sultans to have all sort of unlimited powers and are happy to live under that model.
It is unlikely that the people of these countries will demand a change, and the Sheiks will be more than happy to maintain this never changing and beneficial status quo.
United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi's Al-Nahayan ruling Family.
¿Do we look $$ like we are prepared to transfer power $$ to a democratic government?