Quote:
Originally posted by Lanny_MacDonald@Sep 23 2004, 11:21 PM
I really don't know what people are expecting with these elections? Do people seriously think that any candidate other than the one the Americans have selected stands a hope of winning? My lord, people are naive if they think this is going to be a practice in democracy. Just because you vote on something does not make it democratic.
People should understand the differences between liberial democracy (like we have in the G8 countries) and illiberal democracies like those that flourish in other parts of the world (Russia, Mexico, Yugoslavia, Brazil, etc.). Democracy takes time to develop and in many countries the idea either takes time to incubate and develop, usually generations, or fails to take hold and reverts back to the old way of governing (totalitarianism, Communism, etc.). Key factors into developing democracy is sufficient GDP per capita (financial resources to promote a free market), a free media capable of openly questioning the existing government or other parties, and a liberal belief structure where diferent ideas can be openly shared and accepted. Another key factor for a successful run at democracy is education. People have to be able to read and write to vote, so without that base democracy never stands a chance. Without these bases democracy will never stand a chance. Its a nice show, but really, what chance does it have?
Frankly the elections in Afghanistan and Iraq will be nothing more than a big show for the Bush admin. The cheering will be loud, but will the result be anything more than a puppet government "friendly" to the United States?
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Are you saying the results are going to be rigged?
It looks like even Mucky al-Sadr, if he lives that long, will be a candidate in Iraq. If that guy can be on the stump with his message then anything is up for grabs. I mentioned before a Gallup poll found a slim majority of Iraqi's actually admired al-Sadr but only five per cent would vote for him.
Believe it or not, Karzai actually DOES appear to have widespread popularity in Afghanistan.
The entire world will be watching these two elections with a keen eye. Its unlikely there would be any widespread, systemic fraud to empower a desired result. Chaotic fraud is another thing. Or voters scared away that there isn't enough to give it legitimacy.
You're the guy saying we should admire Muslim culture. I've asked you before why I would offer that respect . . . . but I added that the average Iraqi probably has the same concerns of family, home, security as the average voter in Des Moines.
In fact, if you applied some logical thought to it, nothing would be better for the USA than a more radical government emerging that asks them to leave.
Cowperson