How to Create Democracy in Iraq-
by Alan J. Laser alaser@debatemegeorge.com
Lessons from U.S. History
The United States achieved democracy in 1920. That year, women, who comprise the majority of the population, were given the right to vote. (Oddly enough, they had the right to hold office in 1788, not that anyone was voting for them.) In 1789, in order to vote, you had to be a white male landowner. Some states had more stringent requirements; seven states had religious requirements. Only 5% of United States population was eligible to vote in 1789.
From 1789 to 1920, the US can be described as working its way toward democracy. Gradually, more people got the right to vote, and gradually, more powers were remanded to the people. The journey, if you view it, isn't over yet: we still have the electoral college, no one in the entire judicial branch is elected, and partisan politics often reduce us to demockracy.
In fact, the American tradition of democracy really started in Britain at the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. (Even earlier, really - similar documents had been signed before the MC.) Britain wasn't really a monarchy at the time we fought her; the King was just a convenient focal point for our ire. Democracies have trouble taking root, and when they do, grow very slowly. Haiti is a good example, though not entirely comparable to Iraq. It's an on-and-off democracy that's currently in the off stage. Vicente Fox became Mexico's first chief executive elected in free and fair elections in the year 2000. Democracies that are "encouraged" or forced upon people have an even smaller chance of succeeding.
President Bush and his neoconservative allies seem to think that a democracy can spring up overnight in Iraq. Certainly Iraq has the potential for democracy; it is fairly wealthy, with a reasonably educated, moderate, secular citizenry.
But a functioning, democratic government in a few years? In a country with deep ethnic divisions, a devastated economy, and under the complete domination of the world's only superpower? Iraq has never had a democracy. It was three separate provinces of the Ottoman empire, than the British empire, than a puppet monarchy, then a fascist-style state ruled by the Baathists. Iraqis say that they want a democracy, but they are not sure what one is.
Jefferson couldn't even create a Jeffersonian democracy in America, his own country. President Bush thinks he can create one in Iraq. This is a fools errand.
Lessons from U.S. History
The United States achieved democracy in 1920. That year, women, who comprise the majority of the population, were given the right to vote. (Oddly enough, they had the right to hold office in 1788, not that anyone was voting for them.) In 1789, in order to vote, you had to be a white male landowner. Some states had more stringent requirements; seven states had religious requirements. Only 5% of United States population was eligible to vote in 1789.
From 1789 to 1920, the US can be described as working its way toward democracy. Gradually, more people got the right to vote, and gradually, more powers were remanded to the people. The journey, if you view it, isn't over yet: we still have the electoral college, no one in the entire judicial branch is elected, and partisan politics often reduce us to demockracy.
In fact, the American tradition of democracy really started in Britain at the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. (Even earlier, really - similar documents had been signed before the MC.) Britain wasn't really a monarchy at the time we fought her; the King was just a convenient focal point for our ire. Democracies have trouble taking root, and when they do, grow very slowly. Haiti is a good example, though not entirely comparable to Iraq. It's an on-and-off democracy that's currently in the off stage. Vicente Fox became Mexico's first chief executive elected in free and fair elections in the year 2000. Democracies that are "encouraged" or forced upon people have an even smaller chance of succeeding.
President Bush and his neoconservative allies seem to think that a democracy can spring up overnight in Iraq. Certainly Iraq has the potential for democracy; it is fairly wealthy, with a reasonably educated, moderate, secular citizenry.
But a functioning, democratic government in a few years? In a country with deep ethnic divisions, a devastated economy, and under the complete domination of the world's only superpower? Iraq has never had a democracy. It was three separate provinces of the Ottoman empire, than the British empire, than a puppet monarchy, then a fascist-style state ruled by the Baathists. Iraqis say that they want a democracy, but they are not sure what one is.
Jefferson couldn't even create a Jeffersonian democracy in America, his own country. President Bush thinks he can create one in Iraq. This is a fools errand.
posted by BLONDIE at 5:19 PM
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