Originally Posted by Donkey_Left

Yell at me if we've discussed this already.

George W. Bush, and many others, seem to think that democracy is some sort of panacea, a cure for all the worlds problems. Just "give" them democracy, and everything will sort itself out.

This has clearly been shown not to be the case. Take Palestine for example, they elected Hamas, a terrorist organization. If the people in Iran had democracy, does GW really expect the result to be any different?

I want to bite my tongue while I'm saying it, but I've decided that I don't think that democracy is always the right thing. We just need to look to the Middle East. I think we should be promoting states like Jordan and Turkey. Turkey is now a muslim nation with a secular government. It is also now a democracy (right?) but it did not BECOME what it is now through democracy.

On the other hand, I think some countries are very ready for democracy. Cuba, for instance, I feel could do pretty well with democracy, provided that their northern neighbors don't shove it down their throats.

Note: when I use palestine as an example of a nation not ready for democracy, it is not only because I don't care for Hamas. I think from a completely neutral point of view, Hamas is not the best thing for furthering the Palestinian People's aims.

I guess this post is a bit rambling... any comments?