[Captain Kirk]

Japan had a democratic tradition prior to the 1930s, albeit an imperfect one. Iraq has no comparative democratic tradition. Conservatives have been become hopeless Wilsonian utopians. BTW, how is democracy doing these days in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Haiti?

[mountaineer]

What would you recommend as an alternative to democracy in post-war Iraq?

[thoughtomator]

Iraqis have the experiences of the Kurds, and longtime influences from representative forms of government in Turkey, Israel, and Iran (yes even Iran) to draw from. They will not be without points of reference. And of course, the USA and UK and Australia are in there on the ground to advise them firsthand. Finally, they will have their own humanity, which naturally yearns for freedom, to guide them.

History has shown that the chances are on the side of any people who match the desire for freedom with the opportunity to pursue it.

[Publicus]

You're right. Establishing free economic and political systems in Haiti, Kosova, Afghanistan, Iraq etc. is not an MRE. It is going to take time and a LOT of work. (Remember of the episode of Vo'ol?)

But at least without the parasites, their societies can now evolve and get with the 21st century- as opposed to the dark ages they were suffering under before they were liberated.

Also, don't forget, despite our own Consitution that plainly assumes the fact all are equal before the law, it has taken us over 200 YEARS to FINALLY get it and STILL we have a ways to go BUT we are movig forward. These other countries were comepletely stagnant under the dictatorships.

What do you think?