Arabs, Africans, some Asians - Democracy is not in their blood! Beware of forcing Western Civilised values on these third world peoples - it won't always be appreciated and could lead to as much death and destruction as is currently the case.

There's already enough violence attributed to dictators and religion - democracy might just break the camel's back!

Ah....the ol' yoke of democracy argument.

You are right Ahlbebuck. But I also think Islam plays a creater role in peoples dislike for democracy like communism does in China. Example : Though India and Pakistan has similar people (genetically) Pakistan being a Islamic state could never keep her democracy (had 7 coups and currently ruled by a dictator and a puppet prime minister) whereas India is still thriving as a World's largest democracy

Justathought
I can only comment from an African perspective - Give them their tribes and corruption, get used to it and learn to live with it.

I do however believe that religion is the worst killer throughout mankind's history. This is the reason why Western democracy will never be accepted in Islamic countries, no matter how good the intentions are.

i don't know how to submit something for posting

this isn't a news flash, but it reveals information about what happened with the captured british equipment in n. iraq

http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/jdw/jdw030403_1_n.shtml

The base article is a flashback, too.
I missed it the first time around.
Basically, 'Democracy in Iraq' flies in the face of French racism.

What about the Iroquois nation as a model? Admittedly, I know little about this. But, perhaps some of you more knowledgable folks can comment.

Capitalism first, a representive republic next. Democracy died over 2000 years ago with the Greeks.

The Kurds have been doing ok with this...in Iraq. The idea that this can't work is pure racism.

I find the notion that non-western peoples are somehow "incapable" of democracy is patronizing, and ultimately rascist. Are you saying we are somehow more refined and better than them? And, doesn't Turkey have an elected government?

I also disagree with the notion that democracy may be good for us but won't work to the satisfaction of other people in the world. Is everything really that relative to you - can't you make a principled stand on the notion that democracy is better than a military or socialist dictatorship?

Is U.S. or British democracy failing the Islamic peoples that move to those nations? Are they picking up and emigrating home to escape the ravages of democracy?

I find this whole line of argument insulting to middle eastern, islamic and arab peoples. That said, I recognize the difficulty of ushering in a sea change in the political system of any country (witness eastern europe's difficult transition) and acknowledge that despotic rule is the standard in arab/islamic/middle eastern states. But it was in South America as well. I bet Americans used to opine that latin cultures just couldn't understand democracy... probably was a rationale for the "gunboat diplomacy" the U.S. had 100 years ago.

Big Rooster

Are you saying democracy in Turkey is alive and kicking ? Look again.
About a democratic as Argentina under the generals Altierie and the like.
Turkey managed to de-populate 3,000 yes three thousand Kurdish villages in the east of Turkey over the last 15 so years.

it is racist to believe that arabs cannot make democracy work. It makes me sick every time i hear a person on a talk show that says something along these lines.
YO! We are all humans!
lol

Well, no, it's not racist, at least if you modify the statement to 'the current culture in the Middle East is incompatible with democracy'. They can't both exist together - kinda like you can't have free markets and communism at the same time (doesn't stop the chinese from trying) or wahhabism and civil liberties at the same time.

Hell, Russia has enough trouble working as a democracy, never mind Middle Eastern countries.

If the best we can do in Iraq is Turkey 2, I'll be happy. I actually think we can do a bit better still.

"Bringing democracy" to a people is a fool's game. These things are up to the Iraqis, not the Americans, the French, the Russians, or anyone else.

I also find it rather humorous to see people linking to NRO. Like that is a remotely unbiased or credible source. Quite frankly I remember two summers ago when the NRO was boasting of the "purity" and "steadfastness" of Putin. The NRO is the "Nation" of the right - a bunch of "stick my finger to the wind" jackasses.

Gary,

You're right. The Iraqis have to choose for themselves the form of government they want. However, even most cultures inclined to despotism will not trend towards Saddamism.

However, Iraq could just as easily be Turkey 2.0 or Jordan 2.0. Even Egypt 2.0 would be acceptable (Mubarak just throws dissidents into jail as opposed to the creative ways Saddam treats his dissidents.) A less-threatening Iraq can only help the Gulf emirates as they proceed to democracy.

Don't forget that it took quite a while for Americans to arrive at our current form stability, and it got damn near blown to smithereens in the 1860s.

If it wasn't easy for us, it won't be easy for them. But just because something's difficult doesn't mean it isn't worthwile.

Capitalism first, a representive republic next!!

Great Plan !

Why not be ambitious.,its better then what they have now!! Public opinion be dam if the
common folk is bettered in long run for the common good.