Last Thursday, President Bush gave a speech before the National Endowment for Democracy, advocating freedom and democracy for all areas which currently lack such-- but especially the Middle East. It was reported by CNN and FOX News (speech and Mid-East reactions). I found out about it from this segment on PBS's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. The speech was written about at Insults Unpunished, USS Clueless, and Setting the World to Rights while I delayed.
Like the speech itself, I will also focus on the Middle East. That said, I'll let the Prez start us off:
Some skeptics of democracy assert that the traditions of Islam are inhospitable to the representative government. This "cultural condescension," as Ronald Reagan termed it, has a long history. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, a so-called Japan expert asserted that democracy in that former empire would "never work." Another observer declared the prospects for democracy in post-Hitler Germany are, and I quote, "most uncertain at best" -- he made that claim in 1957. Seventy-four years ago, The Sunday London Times declared nine-tenths of the population of India to be "illiterates not caring a fig for politics." Yet when Indian democracy was imperiled in the 1970s, the Indian people showed their commitment to liberty in a national referendum that saved their form of government.
Two things leap out at me. Firstly, I wonder why the expert in question believed democracy in Japan would 'never work.' Japan had a functioning, if tragically flawed, parliamentary democracy for decades before WWII. Secondly, someone was worried about the future of German democracy in 1957?! This underscores that pessimists can be wrong, and that things in Iraq are proceeding much faster than our previous adventures in imposing self-rule by fiat.
Back over to Dubya:
It should be clear to all that Islam -- the faith of one-fifth of humanity -- is consistent with democratic rule. Democratic progress is found in many predominantly Muslim countries -- in Turkey and Indonesia, and Senegal and Albania, Niger and Sierra Leone. Muslim men and women are good citizens of India and South Africa, of the nations of Western Europe, and of the United States of America. More than half of all the Muslims in the world live in freedom under democratically constituted governments. They succeed in democratic societies, not in spite of their faith, but because of it. A religion that demands individual moral accountability, and encourages the encounter of the individual with God, is fully compatible with the rights and responsibilities of self-government.
Yet there's a great challenge today in the Middle East. In the words of a recent report by Arab scholars, the global wave of democracy has -- and I quote -- "barely reached the Arab states." They continue: "This freedom deficit undermines human development and is one of the most painful manifestations of lagging political development." The freedom deficit they describe has terrible consequences, of the people of the Middle East and for the world. In many Middle Eastern countries, poverty is deep and it is spreading, women lack rights and are denied schooling. Whole societies remain stagnant while the world moves ahead. These are not the failures of a culture or a religion. These are the failures of political and economic doctrines.
There is this notion floating around, that Islam is incompatible with freedom. That's silly. Most monotheistic religions don't go out of their way to support sovereignty of the individual, but religious Americans of all stripes manage perfectly well. Oh-- and in addition to the good old US of A, Muslim men and women are also good citizens of Israel. Put that in your anti-democracy pipe, and smoke it.
Bush's assertion that it is poor economic policy which causes stagnation, rather than culture, is supported by a convenient example. France, of course, is part of the culture of Western Europe. But by adopting a policy of Socialism Lite (tm), France is floundering while other European countries like Spain and Ireland are thriving.
As changes come to the Middle Eastern region, those with power should ask themselves: Will they be remembered for resisting reform, or for leading it? In Iran, the demand for democracy is strong and broad, as we saw last month when thousands gathered to welcome home Shirin Ebadi, the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The regime in Teheran must heed the democratic demands of the Iranian people, or lose its last claim to legitimacy. [snip]
As we watch and encourage reforms in the region, we are mindful that modernization is not the same as Westernization. Representative governments in the Middle East will reflect their own cultures. They will not, and should not, look like us. Democratic nations may be constitutional monarchies, federal republics, or parliamentary systems. And working democracies always need time to develop -- as did our own. We've taken a 200-year journey toward inclusion and justice -- and this makes us patient and understanding as other nations are at different stages of this journey.
We understand all too well that change doesn't happen overnight. Gradual, top-down democratization is better than none at all, as I always say. OK, so I can't recall having said that before...
And finally:
Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe -- because in the long run, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export. And with the spread of weapons that can bring catastrophic harm to our country and to our friends, it would be reckless to accept the status quo.
That pretty much explains the War on Terror for all to understand. As for Western nations accomodating oppressive regimes all over the world... well, that's a topic for another day.
Update: I managed to finish off the discussion of Bush's speech. That bit I wrote about Cold War thinking will be back, in a later article.
Update: Conveniently, that bit I wrote about Cold War thinking came back, in a later article.
Posted by Mitch at November 13, 2003 11:57 PMthis place sucks balls
How colossally descriptive of you. Perhaps a more constructive criticism will be forthcoming in the future, you second-hand electric donkey bottom biter.
Posted by: Mitch at December 1, 2003 03:43 PMThis is a verry interesting topic, and you've presented this in an interestin way. I'm working on a speach for scholarship money and the topic is Democracy, is it for everyone? If you could email me some of your opinions that would be very helpful
Posted by: M at December 8, 2003 04:30 PMI am also writing an essay on "Democracy:Is it for Everyone?" and I was wondering if you could possibly e-mail me some of your opinions on this topic and any other facts you have on this subject. I would really appreciate it.
Posted by: A at December 10, 2003 09:08 PMI'm currently writing an essay which also states: Democracy: Is it for everyone. I would really like to recieve some hints on which points of views I can cover this essay from. Thank you.
Posted by: Christiana Bankole at December 11, 2003 09:39 PMYou, my friend, are the stupidest idiot I have ever herd in my life!
Posted by: adfgjkj at December 12, 2003 12:37 AMHow odd of you to phrase it that way, since you don't sound very friendly.
Oh-- and you missed the 's' key when typing your name.
Wait, it seems that last statement was premature. In actuality, you are as unable to hit keys in an organized fashion as you are to make a reasoned argument.
Posted by: Mitch at December 12, 2003 01:32 AMim lost. someone be nice!
Posted by: hardy at December 15, 2003 04:06 PMThis is a rather fascinating post. ^^ I rather enjoy the negative comments. They're amusing. Heh....
This is a good article, though. Your ideas fascinate me and is a good view to think from. Thank you.
Posted by: Snow Queen in Hell at December 15, 2003 06:52 PMI have chosen the task to write and present a speech on this topic also. I would appreciate any form of help I can get. As said above, it is for scholarship money. It would be exceedingly noble if the ideas were innovative.
I too am writing a speech regarding democracy and whether it can be implemented in any country and I would appreciate any comments or insights you might have on this topic. Thank you very much.
Posted by: Pamela at December 30, 2003 11:48 AMI am also doing a speech on Democracy- is it for everyone. i was hoping you could send me some of you insights also. thank you.
Posted by: nikki at December 30, 2003 01:35 PMi am writting a essay " is domocracy for everyone?" i was wondering could you send me some your opinions on this topic also. thanx
Posted by: Jenny chen at January 4, 2004 09:57 PMI am writing a paper on Democracy: is it for everyone? and i would like some of your opinions for this speach. Please e mail me with some thanks.
Posted by: T-Dawg at January 6, 2004 11:54 AMI am also writing a speech for this scholarship program, any help would also be appreciated.
I am also writing a speech for this scholarship program, any help would also be appreciated.
Your article was pretty interseting. I am also writing a paper with the same subject: Is democracy for everyone? I was wondering if you could email me some tips or opinions in writing it. Thanx!
Posted by: trina at January 14, 2004 07:36 PMHahaha, why cant you all be smart for once and write your own essays....but you are all so numbwitted you can't think of anything by yourslef, kid of like someone called Tressa, a dumb, stupid, non opinionated person who can't think of anything by herself....hope you all fail your essays
Posted by: Georgia at January 14, 2004 09:54 PMHello everyone...I am one of the many writing an essay on the subject "Democracy-Is it for everyone?" I would appreciate your opinions and ideas on this topic because as an experienced writer, I know that having the opinions of others included in your writing greatly improves the quality of the piece. If Georgia would like any more information on how to improve your writing skills, please post, I would be willing to help (seeing how you need it) :) Thank you for your time.
Posted by: Felix at January 14, 2004 10:13 PMyour guys are fucking funny, makinfun of eachother like that, i think is you guys that dont helf other people out are stingy little fucks, thats reall shady not sharing your opinions. Anyways, im in the contest too, so everyone good luck, and have fun. Damn you cocky little fucks!!!!
Georgia, you talk alot of shit huh. You think you're sooo fucking tight making fun of people like that huh. You wanna clown, ok. You suck so much dick, you got knee pads attached to your dresses. And you calling people stupid. You wanna clown, get some crapy jokes together and lets go homie.
Posted by: ener at January 15, 2004 12:28 AMHey M, thanks for cheating for the Lions Club speach contest Biatch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Posted by: JBix at January 15, 2004 02:08 AMFuck all of you for cheating
Posted by: JBix at January 15, 2004 02:09 AMhow is asking for an opinion, even though you may not agree with it, cheating?it's not!!!!! if you knew what the fuck you were talking about you would be asking for different opinions as well, you know, for counter-arguments, oh, wait let me explain that for your dumb-ass, it means arguments, that counter, oh, shit! you won't understand it anyway!!fuckin idiot.oh, and by the way, if you fucking knew what you were talking about, Georgia, you would know that they freakin' can't fail their essays, they are writing them for scholorships you know, for college, maybe you should attend college, some more school would be good for you, oh, wait, do any colleges accept total morons?hmmmmmm?
Posted by: blka at January 16, 2004 12:02 AMHello everyone...this is Felix once again. Since no one is sharing their opinions on this topic, I will briefly share mine. Democracy-Is it for everyone? Well, first of all, in order to answer that question, we have to agree on the fact that a true democracy exists. Scholars have argues that a true democracy, or rule by the people, is a utopian political ideology, unattainable yet valuable as a political foundation. This is where I stand, and am writing my speech keeping in mind the fact that only "if" a true democracy existed it be for everyone. Just an opinion...
Posted by: Felix at January 17, 2004 04:06 PMu guys are weird
Posted by: skye at January 18, 2004 11:13 PMHey Im writing a speech too on if democracy is for everyone just like the rest of you. It looks like we are all doing the same thing :) probably for the same speech contest. i need some help though so anyone wanna help me? well email me. luv ya all
Posted by: skye at January 18, 2004 11:19 PMi need some info on is democracy for everyone? Please help.
Posted by: lucy at January 19, 2004 01:01 AMi need some info on is democracy for everyone? Please help.
Posted by: lucy at January 19, 2004 01:02 AMI am also doing a speech on democracy on is it for everyone. I would like to know other peoples point of view so please email me with your opionions. ^__^
Posted by: Mayuko at January 19, 2004 02:15 PMTHIS IS FOR ANYBODY PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMOCRACY, IS IT FOR EVERYONE SPEECH. DONT EVEN BOTHER DOING IT, YOU HAVE ALREADY LOST DEMOCRACY IS FOR COUNTRIES THAT ARE WILLING TO USE IT PROPERLY NOT FOR SECOND RATE CONTRIES SOOOOOOOO AGAIN, DON'T EVEN BOTHER ENTERING THE CONTEST. LOL
Posted by: Cakes at January 19, 2004 08:04 PMWow that cakes seems to be really smart, i'd like to get some of his cake, oh well maybe some other day......... And the guy is right!! just don't even bother showing up for the speech, cuz you aint gettin nothing see ya losers.. tee- hee...
Posted by: Cakes (girl) at January 19, 2004 08:08 PMDemocracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear.
Posted by: Jon at January 20, 2004 10:24 PMi am writing a speech for a contest. the topic is "democracy, is it for everyone?" could you help me and send some of your opinions?thanx
Posted by: sunny at January 24, 2004 06:36 PMi am also writing speech for scholarship money. need help, please. oh, and y'all, quit with the narrow-minded, crude, rude, revolting comments, PLEASE!! its not cool.
Posted by: kit at January 25, 2004 06:19 PMlisten here all u little fucks! u guys r fucking stupid none of yall gonna win, cuz pimp daddy is gonna rock ur fucking world.
Posted by: greg carriero at February 5, 2004 11:54 PMI think I'm in that whole contest too. Not sure, just saw the topic on my English teacher's board and felt like I already had an argument thought out for it in my head and I thought it sounded like fun. So, anyways, I asked him if I could be a part of it. I didn't know wnaything about scholarships though, that would be cool... Any more information about the scholarship money would be nice... n E-mail me to fill me in.
My argument, although I won't go into great detail, involves Aristotle, Karl Marx and slavery. YOU FIND OUT WHAT SIDE IM ARGUING
Posted by: Ribbit at February 6, 2004 10:21 PMI am working on a speech for the lions club it is for a scholarship and the topic is Democracy, Is it for everyone. I would really appreciate some ideas for my speech. Please help!! They changed the date so it is sooner and i so need help!
All you motherfuckers are gonna pay, You are the ones who are the ball-lickers. We're gonna fuck your mothers while you watch and cry like little bitches. Once we get to Hollywood and find those Miramax fucks who are making that movie, we're gonna make 'em eat our shit, then shit out our shit, then eat their shit which is made up of our shit that we made 'em eat. Then you're all fucking next
Posted by: Flex at February 10, 2004 11:41 AMHey Jazzy It's Maddie I know that the date has changed for us but I know you are going to do a great job on it!!! I'll see you tonight at the contest girly!!! Bye:) We're both gonna do great!!!
Posted by: Maddie Girl at February 12, 2004 03:12 PMP.S. Flex That sounds sorta gross!!! WHATEVER!!!
Posted by: maddie girl at February 12, 2004 03:14 PM