[Tolik]

Democracy works in Switzerland, for the same reason that it works in a small New Hampshire town. It does not work in many Third World countries, where the same combination of factors are not present. In fact, it can result in some incredibly cruel results. (See Democracy In The Third World.)

I agree that the road to democracy is not a straight line. Nevertheless, here is the fact that a hundred of years ago there was a handful of democracies, and now there are many many more.

There was a strong, reality based argument for accommodating communism, because its here to stay and the West must coexist with it and at best deter it from advancing, but very very carefully, so not to disturb the beast. I know you are not making this argument, its just the best example of a similar argument that history proved was wrong. I don't expect the third world to turn into a new New Hampshire, but Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, all Muslim countries, have some strong democratic strains in them, and while being far from perfect, are still much better for their citizens and the world than many other alternatives.

Democracy works in Switzerland, for the same reason that it works in a small New Hampshire town. It does not work in many Third World countries, where the same combination of factors are not present. In fact, it can result in some incredibly cruel results. (See Democracy In The Third World.)

I agree that the road to democracy is not a straight line. Nevertheless, here is the fact that a hundred of years ago there was a handful of democracies, and now there are many many more.

There was a strong, reality based argument for accommodating communism, because its here to stay and the West must coexist with it and at best deter it from advancing, but very very carefully, so not to disturb the beast. I know you are not making this argument, its just the best example of a similar argument that history proved was wrong. I don't expect the third world to turn into a new New Hampshire, but Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, all Muslim countries, have some strong democratic strains in them, and while being far from perfect, are still much better for their citizens and the world than many other alternatives.

[Ohioan]

Whether "Democracy" is a good thing, or even an acceptable thing, depends upon the nature of the body politic. The mantra that "Democracy" equates with human liberty and progress is pure nonsense.

All "Democracy" really means is rule by numbers; and unless and until those who advocate it in any particular land--and it is perfectly outrageous for outsiders to advocate it for another land--analyze who will have the numbers, and their characteristics, and who all will be ruled by those numbers, it is an absolutely absurd notion that it is a good idea. People are not interchangeable, and Democracy can as easily lead--as in Ruanda--to a massacre--as to some other dispensation. There is no magic in changing the decision makers in a society.

Put another way. If you were running a business, you would be damn sure that you did not hire a group of managers, without determining their level of intelligence, basic values, and personal character. Only some one with their head in the sand, would turn over their government to someone without those same determinations.

We address some of this in the essay on Democracy In The Third World.

William Flax