>Autocracies like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria are
terrified of consensual government in Iraq precisely because
they are aware of its implications for their own deprived citizens.
Maybe they're smarter
than we give them credit for.
Maybe they look at
us, and realize
"consensual government"
gave us eight long years
of Clinton. Just think
what the "consensus" choice there
might put in office...
I would take not 8 but 80 years of Clinton versus 1 year under Saudi Arabia.
You are falling into what Hanson and Lee Harris use as their major point lately: the West got into a habit of requiring perfection out of itself. It's not possible. It's called Utopia precisely because its a neverland.
I take chaos of democracy versus authoritarian order anytime. Its frustrating, you bet! But nothing exist that is better. I can't stand Clinton, but I would not want to live under Putin or any Saudi princes.