Friday, July 14, 2006
Re: The Democratization Gambit [Cliff May]
I hold a view that differs from both John and Andy, my esteemed friends and colleagues. I would argue that we Americans should support freedom and democracy in the Middle East and around the world not because it’s a useful thing to do but because it’s the right thing to do—because we live in freedom and democracy and believe others should have the opportunity to enjoy those same blessings.
There are a select few who fight for freedom in the Middle East. Should our policy be to toast their oppressors? Or might we give the freedom fighters a little support?
Also, which anti-democratic tyrants have proved to be useful allies to us: Egypt’s Mubarak? The Saudi royals? The fact is that amenable, cooperative despots are not so easy to find these days.
And finally, yes, Hamas was elected, but, no, that doesn’t mean Gaza and the West Bank are “democratic.” Democracy requires the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a free press, and many other attributes. If someone got up on a soapbox in Gaza City tomorrow and said: “Vote for me, I’m the peace candidate!” he’d be shot dead within an instant and there’d be no arrest or trial. That’s not what happens in a liberal democracy.
Hamas is a terrorist organization and an armed militia. It may pose as a political party but that doesn’t make it one.
The same for Hezbollah: It’s an armed militia that has just initiated a military attack across Lebanon’s southern border without asking permission of the government in which it participates. Even Ross Perot and his Reform Party would not have gone that far.
Finally, while freedom and democracy are not the antidote for terrorism, they are part of the long-term treatment. Right now, if you live in the Arab Middle East you have a choice only between dead-end dictatorship and Militant Islamism. There is no third option—indeed, the dead-end dictators collude with the Militant Islamists against any sprouting of liberal democracy.
Can we agree on this: What we should promote in the Middle East is not democracy in the sense of getting folks to cast ballots. What we should promote is freedom of expression and association, the rule of law, and other hallmarks of civil society. To hold elections before you have civil society is to start cooking before you have either meat or potatoes.
Promoting freedom is not, at this moment, as important as killing our enemies. But if we had done it earlier, we might not have so many enemies. And it’s something we should be able to manage in our spare time with personnel who aren’t very adept with firearms.
07/14 04:44 PM
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