Many people say that democracy can't be "implanted" into Iraq because of the religious/ethnic/tribal divide among its people. This belief is utter bs bordering on extreme racism. What these people are really saying is that Arabs are so dumb and backward and so focused on their religion and literal interpretation of its teachings that they will shun democratic principles on account that democracy is a liberal western tradition being imposed agains the true will of the Arab people .
Well guess what, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Turkey are all democratic nations. Are these countries western cultures? No. Have they managed to successfully build democratic institutions? Yes. So to say that a country and its people are incapable of building a democracy if they are liberated by a foreign power is, as I said earlier, bs. Democratic values are universale, they stem from the writings of John Locke and apply to every human being on Earth.
People fail to understand that the so-called "ethnic" conflicts were not between Kurds and Sunnis or Kurds and Shia or Sunnis and Shia but the conflicts were nothing more than a subjugation of the Islamic people by a secular totalitarian dictatorship. In reality, there is not much ethnic conflict in Iraq and why should there be? Numerous sects of Islam get along well in most Arab countries so why would Iraq be any different? Iraq is far less influenced by the extremist forms of Islamic society than other Arab states.
Furthermore, for the most part, Iraq is a modern nation with adequate physical and social infrastructure, a well-educated population and blessed with enormous wealth. These characterisitcs were present both in Germany and Japan prior to WWII. So the pre-conditions for democracy are there. It is now up to the Iraqi people to install democracy in their homeland.
Prior to WWII, there were only 20 Democratic countries. By the end of 2001 there are now 100 countries with a democratic government.
Democracy doesn't equal religious separation. That is the will of the people to allow hatred and prejudices among themselves.
As stated, Iraq is extremely educated and wealthy. They will become the shining star in the Arab world now that they are given the chance.
It is a shame that the other Arab countries have turned their back on Iraq and the plight of the people.
The Arab world looked at Saddam as a great leader. This makes one wonder what those countries are doing to their people too.
Were they ingnorant to the fact that Saddam was killing his own people and turned their backs? Or is this accepted in the Arab culture as the norm?
Personally, I believe that Arab countries believe this is an acceptable way to rule their people and that persecution and death is the rule for non compliance.
Syria will be next if they do not stop promoting hatred and condoning death to all who are not Muslim. I hope their people are not as Ignorant as their government. Iraq HAD an ignorant government.
The only difference between Iraq and the example nations of Japan and Germany that I can see....their heavy influence and beliefs within their religious order.
The same "template" cannot be utilized in calculating how they will or should be governed or lead.
But, everything else you said about Iraq is true....they are very educated, they have a solid social foundation, their governmental infrastructure is solid (was just skewed by one man and his desires) and most of all...yes they are blessed with an abundance of wealth. How the new government or leadership decides to distribute this wealth (as in distributing it to its people)is what needs to be asked or that is where the concern lies.
Originally posted by USA1 Prior to WWII, there were only 20 Democratic countries. By the end of 2001 there are now 100 countries with a democratic government.
Democracy doesn't equal religious separation. That is the will of the people to allow hatred and prejudices among themselves.
As stated, Iraq is extremely educated and wealthy. They will become the shining star in the Arab world now that they are given the chance.
It is a shame that the other Arab countries have turned their back on Iraq and the plight of the people.
The Arab world looked at Saddam as a great leader. This makes one wonder what those countries are doing to their people too.
Were they ingnorant to the fact that Saddam was killing his own people and turned their backs? Or is this accepted in the Arab culture as the norm?
Personally, I believe that Arab countries believe this is an acceptable way to rule their people and that persecution and death is the rule for non compliance.
Syria will be next if they do not stop promoting hatred and condoning death to all who are not Muslim. I hope their people are not as Ignorant as their government. Iraq HAD an ignorant government.
All, so true, so true! The world will die from mal-administration and ignorant governments.
Only one sticks out in my mind that I'm not to sure of...
I don't think the Arab world looked upon Saddam as a great leader. I think they came to his aid, upon the theory, that a fellow Muslim nation was being attacked by an outside "force". The facts were skewed, many muslims overlooked what he had done to his own people, and chose to attack (attack as in with words and demonstrations) the outside "force"...the coalition, to show solidarity and support to their Muslim brothers and sisters.
Maybe they even respected Saddams defiance to this coalition....the Muslims are a long standing religious order, with much history and so much pride. Prideful people will sometimes look the other way of wrong doing to save the "core" theory and ideals they live by. No different then the Pro-Coalition people...they looked the other way of the fact of collateral damage and the innocent Iraqi citizens dying...knowing (or maybe better in saying hoping) that the end effect of this cause was for the good.
Zid,
Unfortunately they kept looking the other way long enough for Saddam to kill many of his people. 30 years is a lot of corruption and killing.
I believe that this War would not have happened if the Arab world would have taken care of this.
There are many other Arab countries in the same position as Iraq was 2 months ago.
The real truth will come out soon as to the real atrocities this regime has put upon the people of Iraq. This will send a shock wave throughout the Arab community and their response and reaction will be looked at and scrutinized by the entire world.
Once again though USA1....pride will forego reality. It will still be said that it was an Arab or Muslim problem. I don't think they necessarily seek "truth" in a western sense.
Why do I think this? Its rather a simple logic that I've come up with and you've answered the majority of it in your post above.
Everyone knew, the Arab world knew, the muslims knew what was going on, they did not need the proof of "truth" that the coalition will bring them. All they see and know (and really care about) is that a non-muslim coalition "invaded" or "conquered" a muslim country. That is the only truth that they will see.
