What does democracy mean to you? and what type do you see in Iraq's future?

Post-9/11 Era Forum

What does democracy mean to you? Some people believe it means complete freedom to do and say what you want... some people believe it is majority rule.... some believe it is majority rule with minority rights.. etc.

There are multiple styles of democracy in the world today, Palamentary demorcracy, US style democracy, etc..., and I am wondering what style you foresee in Iraq's future?

Many people don't understand what democracy means and can't explain what it really is. In a true democracy, every issue would have to be voted on by the public, and not elected representatives.

People come to my country (Canada) and think its a democracy, when in reality, all the power rests with the Prime Minister. In the US, there is a system of checks and balances to limit the power of each individual section of government (executive, legislative, judicial). The US is a representative system where there is usually a split in the party that controls each branch. Furthermore, in the US there is representative government, meaning that a party that gets 35% of the vote gets 35% of the representation. In Canada, the party that gets the most votes (usually Liberals) becomes the majority government even if they get 20% of the vote, as long as its more votes than anyone else.

We need this type of representative government in Iraq, based on the US system, which although not completely democratic, is the closes thing we have.

Traditionally, democracy means that you have a form of government in which the supreme power rests with the people, not with an individual or group. Nowadays though, people tend to think of a democracy more as a system of government which grants personal freedom of action and speech.

As for which structure the Iraqi government will assume after this conflict is over, I really have no idea. Many details still need to be sorted out, and this is obviously one of them.

It seems Anarchy rather than Democaracy is taking over at the moment. Alot of the people are, rightfully, quite pissed off that the hospitals and private businesses are being looted while the army sits back and ignores it. "it's not our job" say the troops, well it's certainly someone's job and if you send in the most advanced army in the world and they can't keep law and order what does that say about the planners of all this?

Don't forget that these troops were in frontline combat rolls until quite recently, and many of them have no experience as peacekeepers in an occupied state. I'm sure that these incidents will be brought under control, but it takes time for the troops to make the transition and learn how to deal with these problems.

Also, not all areas are under coallition control yet, so you won't see a shift in rolls for the troops until the job at hand is complete. Areas where coallition forces now have total control such as Basra have been through what is currently happening in Baghdad. The looting has since died down considerably, and the coalition forces are taking action against looters.

Dr Poke, I might point out that looting has happened after the fall of the government in basically every single conflict in the history of man, and there is always a transition period.

Well I know that the US has been trying to see if it can get the Iraqi police force back up and running to handle some of it, but like in Basra, they will assume that role as soon as possible. The first step to setting up a new government, no more like preparing to setup a new government, is to establish law and order.

Back to the subject of the democratic government to be implemented. Do you believe they will have to create a more representative system of democracy like the US has then because there is such a diverse population with the kurds, sunis, and Shia muslems? and would a parlamentary government be welcome in a country because it places so much power in the leader, and obviously the previous one abused his power so badly?

Are there defined "states" in iraq where elections could be held for local governments? or is it basically just townships and outlying lands?

Is there anything of note in western Iraq?

Here's an interesting little tidbit. A Democracy is direct rule by the people. We live, as has been previously pointed out, in a Representative Democracy, AKA, a Republic. This is a system of governement wherein the people vote for representatives to make the decisions. Here's why: It was felt, after studying the Roman empire (remember them? expansionistic, powerful, invasionary, rich? sound like anyone we know?), that a true democracy would never work in a system as large as our country, even as reletively small as it was way back when. One of the main problems with a republic is, there is no law that says a representative must vote according to the will of the people he/she represents. Not to mention, in a two party system, the nature of the game is for both parties to come closer and closer together, becoming more and more similar on a long enough timeline. consider. Iraq is now forced to accept our favorite form of government, simply because we're tougher than them. Thats friendly. And who will choose the canidates? and who will pay for them? and who will employ the newly devastated country? you get the point..........

Democracy/Republic in the USA has always puzzled me slightly with there being only two parties I ever hear of. I know I should probably read more about it but its easier to ask you guys who live there. What I want to know is, is there any other parties that you can vote for or is it just the two.

For example in the UK anyone can stand for election to represent a particular community in the house of commons as long as you pay the standing fee (can't remember how much it is but it is a few grand, which you get back if you get enough votes (which I think is about 2,500votes)), this means there may be loads of different parties on the ballot paper, eg: labour, conservative, liberal democrat, green, British Centre Party, British National Party(BNP), Central Alliance Party, Communist Party of Britain, Green Party of England and Wales, Legalise Cannabis Alliance, Liberal Party, National Democrats, Natural Law Party, Official Monster Raving Loony Party, Progressive Democratic Party, Revolutionary Communist Party of Great Britain, Socialist Equality Party, Socialist Labour Party, Socialist Party, Socialist Party of Great Britain, Socialist Workers Party, Third Way, UK Independence Party.

Obviously alot of these parties get only a few votes and are of little consequence, but if enough people vote for them they will be elected to Parliament. Also all the people such as the Defense secretary etc have to be elected directly to serve in the government (but Prime Minister decides which of those elected serves in his cabinet), is it the same in the USA, for example was Don. Rumsfeld elected directly to serve in his position. (btw not trying to criticise or any thing, I just want to know)