In case anyone is wondering, I think the Iraqi elections were wonderful. The elections don't provide a legal justification after the fact for invading the country, any more than the observation that we're better off with Saddam and his regime out of power. But if we're there anyway, for whatever reason, we owe it to the people whose territory we are occupying to help them make the transition to a working democracy that respects the rights of every individual.
Cultural imperialism? Maybe. In response, let me suggest that
(1) the political culture we're trying to export is a lot better than the one they had, and
(2) the response of the people to the opportunity suggests that the Iraqi people agree with me.
1 comment:
In regards to your comment about cultural imperialism, I would submit that imposing democracy is similar to forcing someone In regards to your comment about cultural imperialism, I would submit that imposing democracy is similar to forcing someone to choose what they wish to eat for dinner from an unlimited menu. The action, and not the result, is being forced. Voting for Saddam was more like being told you can eat whenever you want, but you can only have a Weisenfluh hamburger.
Post a Comment