U.S. seeks democratic role model for Arab states

World Tribune ^ | 7/3/2002 | N/A

[Alouette]

The Bush administration is searching for an Arab model for an Islamic democracy.

Dearborn, Michigan?

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Sen. Chuck Hagel said Arab countries have rejected Turkey as a role model.

That's interesting. No reason was given why??

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

The religious far right in Turkey is about 10%. 100 years ago it was the same pathetic state of affairs as in the rest of the Muslim world.

Has Sept 11th reduced support of the far right in Turkey? There has been so much talk here and in Europe about oppressive religious governments being the cause of so much misery in the Arab world.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

That should give you some idea how difficult it will be for the Arabs to 1)produce a leader whom they'll follow by their own free will and accord, and 2)get to a level of education which permits a democratic society..

My grandfather used to say that democracy was for civilized people only. That a population needed to reach a certain level of education and civility in order for it to work. That's why Africa can't get it together.

Maybe what these countries need is a benevolent dictator until they can evolve to that point.

[a_Turk]

'Coz we're not real Muslims but infidels :^D

[a_Turk]

Has Sept 11th reduced support of the far right in Turkey?

Naah, these things don't change overnight. The religious right split 50/50 a couple of years ago. The moderates abandoned the far right. They swear that their mission is not to recreate the old Sultanate.

[steve-b]

There are some Christians who think exactly that!

Yes, but in modern Western countries they are regarded as a lunatic fringe.

[a_Turk]

Compare these modern day medieval Arabs with your medieval western countries. Works better :)

And as for lunacy, I'm right there with you on that.

[steve-b]

Compare these modern day medieval Arabs with your medieval western countries.

That's a reasonable comparison -- the Arab countries are in a state comparable to the Christian West before the need for a modus vivendi between various sects forced people, kicking and screaming, to move in the direction of civilized tolerance.