[Simo Hayha]

There is an article by R J Rummel called "Muslim Arabs Favor Democracy," at http://www.americandaily.com/article/11111 that addresses this issue. Note in particular:

To the statement that, "Democracy may have problems but it's better than any other form of government," the people of five Arab countries strongly agreed. See the table below. Note with amazement how this agreement is greater than that for the sample from other regions, such as Western Europe. Agreement for other Muslim nations is a little lower, but still greater than for Latin American and U.S./Canada/Australia/New Zealand..

Given what you have said about polls, what's your take on this? Note also his conclusion:

Therefore, if the democratization the Arab people value is to come, it must come from pressure from the outside. In this, President Bush's "Forward Strategy of Freedom" is well aligned with our understanding of the Middle East, and it is working.

Another point tht could be made, based on the article is, given that Muslims living under dictatorship are not inclined to raise their heads above the masses, why wouldn't they embrace democratic ideals when they are away from the oppressiveness of such regimes?

[Simo Hayha]

Apparently the article hasn't been posted to FR. Maybe it could be? I'm not familiar enough with posting articles and I'm not comfortable with an attempt.

[Steve Van Doorn]

I am not going to post this article by R J Rummel analyzing Ronald F. Inglehart work.

Here is how the question went: Could you please tell me if you agree strongly, agree, disagree or disagree strongly, after I read each one of them?
“V163. Democracy may have problems but it's better than any other form of government 1 2 3 4 9
From: http://wvs.isr.umich.edu/ques3.shtml

As a hard core capitalist I would pick number 9 disagree strongly. The absolute worst form of government is a true Democracy, I would honestly prefer communism over a true Democracy. Inglehart chose a question that set it self up to look bad. It seemed to have gone right over R J Rummel head he didn’t get it.

I know what the article is trying to imply but when you put garbage in you get garbage out.

[Steve Van Doorn]

"why wouldn't they embrace democratic ideals when they are away from the oppressiveness of such regimes?"

When it is handed to them on a silver platter it should work in my opinion such as Iraq. But in Iran I don't believe the people are willing to fight against what they have today. I sure hope I am proven wrong.