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Politics and Religion

Are stability and democracy mutually exclusive? Crunch time in Egypt
madiba51 2808 reads
posted

We now interrupt the name-calling and insults for a discussion.

Are stability and democracy mutually exclusive?  Of course not.

How are America's security interests in the region best served?   With democratic elections, there is always the chance, as in Palestine with Hamas, that the election winners will not be those we prefer.  But what is the cost of continuing to align ourselves with oppressive regimes like Mubarek's?  By most accounts (although they could be mistaken), this is not a demand for a theocracy in Egypt, and the Muslim Brotherhood is not out in front, but rather is desperately trying to jump on the bandwagon.

I have maintained for decades that the central battle in the Middle East is the battle for the hearts and minds of moderate Muslims, who are by no means necessarily opposed to the US.  Our security interests are best served by recognizing this reality, and "taking a chance on democracy", even if it seems scary.

willywonka4u1593 reads

Historically, we've been very quick to support dictators in this part of the world. If you want to steal a nation's resources (like oil) then it's a lot easier to bribe one guy to let you do it, then to bribe a few million people.

But we'd be better off with the entire world switching to some form of democracy, even if you don't like the result. If you don't like the result, then you haven't won their hearts and minds. We can only blame ourselves for that.

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benlanger914 reads

FYI, in your zest to spread democracy around the world, just to know that ILLITERACY AND DEMOCRACY DO NOT GO TOGETHER.   An exception to this is INDIA.   It has stayed a solid democracy since 1950 compared to your trusted ally Pakistan which had dozens of coups and military dictators.

Especially knowing that even US has 44% of voters who are illiterate or cannot think for themselves and expect FOX News to tell them what to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Modified on 1/30/2011 5:07:16 PM

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charlie4452215 reads

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charlie4451308 reads

be aligned with the the US capitalists? Aside from a huge military with a bunch of capitalists lackeys in charge of how it's used, the US has nothing to offer that can't be found elsewhere.

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willywonka4u1067 reads

Every capitalist who whines endlessly about "big government" is never very quick to suggest that we cut the 637 billion dollar defense budget that they use as a protection racket.

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charlie445871 reads

The US has long been an international hired gun for the capitalist class. The number one US export these days is imperialism. The capitalist class will liquidate the middle class to finance its endless wars of imperialism.

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holeydiver2136 reads

BO looks more Egyptian and he's only half Muslim.

Posted By: madiba51
We now interrupt the name-calling and insults for a discussion.

Are stability and democracy mutually exclusive?  Of course not.

How are America's security interests in the region best served?   With democratic elections, there is always the chance, as in Palestine with Hamas, that the election winners will not be those we prefer.  But what is the cost of continuing to align ourselves with oppressive regimes like Mubarek's?  By most accounts (although they could be mistaken), this is not a demand for a theocracy in Egypt, and the Muslim Brotherhood is not out in front, but rather is desperately trying to jump on the bandwagon.

I have maintained for decades that the central battle in the Middle East is the battle for the hearts and minds of moderate Muslims, who are by no means necessarily opposed to the US.  Our security interests are best served by recognizing this reality, and "taking a chance on democracy", even if it seems scary.

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mattradd1878 reads

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MOFW1511 reads

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