Illusions of Freedom

Canada Free Press ^ | 05/01/15 | Sierra Rayne

[Sean_Anthony]

The notion that there is a threshold above which authoritarian nations would democratize is attractive, but our experience since the end of the Cold War suggests this view is too simplistic and results in a risky foreign policy stance for the West

A narrative has dominated the West’s foreign policy since the end of the Cold War: if we increase per capita GDP in authoritarian nations, they will democratize.

Most notably, this doctrine was applied to China, and yet China failed to move away from its authoritarian system. Russia has gotten wealthier and returned to authoritarianism. Both nations used the West as an export market and a source of technology (obtained both legally and illegally) and gave little in return.

Over the past decade, China’s real per capita GDP has nearly tripled. No sign of democratization, and instead we see aggressive behavior towards its neighbors. Russia’s constant dollar GDP per person increased 50 percent since 2003 (compared to less than 9 percent in both the U.S. and Canada). It’s authoritarianism increases almost by the day, and not only is it behaving aggressively towards its neighbors, it is currently involved in outright invasions, occupations, and annexations. None of this was supposed to happen.