“the notion that Muslims were not capable of democracy was so quickly embraced by the left I was stunned.”
There are a heck of a lot of us on the RIGHT who believe that nations dominated by the dictatorship-glorifying-ideology of Islam, are not READY for liberty, and the freedom of a democratic republic. Even in our own history it took a very long time to move from limited monarchy to the representative democracy we have now. Arguably European monarchies too had more protections for their subjects 500 years ago... than most Arab countries have today.
There’s no racial element of this—which you’re right, the Left may have—rather its a cultural/religious/ideological issue. When vast majorities of a religion firmly believe (as they are taught)that execution is the proper remedy for leaving that religion (as polling indicates the vast majority of Muslims believe), freedom as we know it just is not possible—and makes “democracy” (majority rule) frankly dangerous for the minority.
A little known fact is the number of Christians that have FLED Iraq since its “democratization.” They actually felt SAFER from Islamists under the police state of Saddam than they do now. Something like HALF of the population of ancient Christian communities (over a million) have LEFT UNDER our watch...and these are groups which go back to New Testament times.
I think the long term effects of the Bush doctrine are yet to be seen. I will be surprised however if dictatorships do not dominate Islamic countries for generations to come.
After all Mohammed himself—and all his successors—were military dictators, and Islamic theocracy is an essential to the ideology of Islam.
A key point you seem to be making is that if the Muslims get actual democracy, they will simply vote in something the west will have to fear.
This may well happen, but this would be good in some ways. Let me explain.
Today, when some dictator does something wretched, we are forced to hesitate in responding because we are noever sure if this man truly represents something the masses support. Now, if Muslim leader were elected on the platform of ‘invading Israel’ and then they he did it, we would have no problem in responding strongly. Even the lefties, would come along.
Second, I would expect the first few elections to be filled with vitriol for the west and heated with religious fervor. This is the only political speak the poor regular folk Muslims have ever heard. But, some where around the third or fourth election cycle, a prominent politician will stand up and say, “If you elect me, I’ll get you a job and better roads.” And, this message will actually resonate and make a lot more sense than always having to hate the Jews. I expect it to happen in Iraq fairly soon. I don’t what one’s culture is, people want to eat, have a safe healthy home, and give their children the best.
The bottom line is the principle of a free society with open debate and regular elections is the only thing we need to support and defend. What the Muslims do with it, is their business.....as it should be. Once they get rolling, a lot of this religious crap will die down.