Re: Libya to destroy all WMDs
Yes, I was not trying to be sympathetic to Saddam but only to show what kind of predicament he got himself into. And clearly he got himself into it.<br /><br />Still, there is no way he would have retained power as long as he did without being like he was, which is part of the reason I am not very hopeful at the prospects of democracy in this region.<br /><br />Power is what these people understand, and all will take advantage of power if given the opportunity. With three opposing tribal groups all vying for power, with usually some sort of religious justification for their point of view, there aren't very many Madison's or Franklins or the like over there, I am afraid.<br /><br />Democracy (or a representative republic) is a difficult, fragile form of government. It is based on the notion that majority rules, while at the same time guaranteeing the rights of the minority to have a say in government, and specific rights to individuals under a rule of law.<br /><br />Even in this country that has over 200 years of practice, it can be difficult to maintain this delicate balance between these fundamental principles--we even had someone suggest on this board the other day that the US constitution was all about "majority-rule" which of course it most certainly is not.<br /><br />The idea that somehow, with no history of or understanding of what it takes to maintain a democracy, Iraq will form a workable democratic government is quite a stretch, in my view.<br /><br />I personally think that while the insurgents are a big problem in Iraq, of course, especially to our troops that are currently over there, the biggest question and problem we face is what kind of government will rise up from Saddam's ashes, and will it be better than what was there under Saddam?<br /><br />Personally, I hope so, but it is a crapshoot, in my opinion
Yes, I was not trying to be sympathetic to Saddam but only to show what kind of predicament he got himself into. And clearly he got himself into it.<br /><br />Still, there is no way he would have retained power as long as he did without being like he was, which is part of the reason I am not very hopeful at the prospects of democracy in this region.<br /><br />Power is what these people understand, and all will take advantage of power if given the opportunity. With three opposing tribal groups all vying for power, with usually some sort of religious justification for their point of view, there aren't very many Madison's or Franklins or the like over there, I am afraid.<br /><br />Democracy (or a representative republic) is a difficult, fragile form of government. It is based on the notion that majority rules, while at the same time guaranteeing the rights of the minority to have a say in government, and specific rights to individuals under a rule of law.<br /><br />Even in this country that has over 200 years of practice, it can be difficult to maintain this delicate balance between these fundamental principles--we even had someone suggest on this board the other day that the US constitution was all about "majority-rule" which of course it most certainly is not.<br /><br />The idea that somehow, with no history of or understanding of what it takes to maintain a democracy, Iraq will form a workable democratic government is quite a stretch, in my view.<br /><br />I personally think that while the insurgents are a big problem in Iraq, of course, especially to our troops that are currently over there, the biggest question and problem we face is what kind of government will rise up from Saddam's ashes, and will it be better than what was there under Saddam?<br /><br />Personally, I hope so, but it is a crapshoot, in my opinion