[ek_hornbeck]

People usually judge the politics of other nations and cultures through an American lens, which is ridiculous. It's the same naive impulse that has guided failed attempts at "nation building" in the Middle East and beyond.

Our system of Constitutional balance of power and individual liberty really isn't for export, because in developing countries without a strong economy and civil society, such personal liberties would just be a recipe for anarchy, or as you (Tijeras) note, descent into a narco-state on account of a power vacuum.

A thuggish dictator would be a disaster for the US for for any developed country. I've come to the conclusion that anything but a thuggish dictator is usually a disaster for developing countries.

[Mark17]

Well stated bro. Unfortunately, I believe you are correct. As bad as a thuggish dictator is, and I do think they are bad, often times, that is the only thing that works in these third world countries.
Many Americans, including Freepers, think the rest of the world thinks like Americans. I did too, until I started living in the Philippines. Actually, I knew, before I got here, but I can absolutely guarantee you, they don't. I wish they did, but they don't. Maybe that's the biggest reason nation building doesn't work.