Waking Up Tyrants

IBD Editorials ^ | February 2, 2011 | Staff

[Kaslin]

Freedom: Egypt's revolution has rattled dictators everywhere. Some are responding by moving toward reform, others by cracking down. Yes, there's a difference between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.

Judging by the chain reaction of responses from as far away as Belarus, Venezuela and Thailand, it's as if an invisible activating agent detectable only by dictators sounded an alarm. Seems no one wants to be "the next Egypt."

But they haven't all acted alike, which calls to mind the distinction made by former U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick in a 1978 essay titled "Dictatorship and Double Standards." In the context of the Cold War, she observed a qualitative difference between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, with only the former capable of reform. This could still be a compass for the Obama administration as it stands like a deer in the headlights wondering which side it should work with in Egypt.

Among the autocrats of today, some have moved swiftly to reform before it's too late. They include:

Jordan. With the capital Amman engulfed in small, relatively moderate protests, King Abdullah on Tuesday fired the nation's Cabinet, got rid of the unpopular prime minister and called on his replacement to "correct the mistakes of the past

[April Lexington]

Interesting to see how the streets of Venezuela are quiet. I guess dictators don't “come in Communist clothing.” Besides, Chavez has a great tee shirt line!

[CORedneck]

Egypt needs some house cleaning but the last thing they need is Muslim Brotherhood and our Dear Leader is following Jimmy Carter’s footsteps !

[BenLurkin]

Venezuela shows how popular protests cannot bring down a genuine bad guy. The Communists are willing to use deadly force early and often to prevent protests — and their subjects know it.

[April Lexington]

Communists will use deadly force to cling to power. Mere dictators will usualy fold. That shows the power of the Internationale...