Democracy: a red herring
Reader comment on article: A Strongman for Iraq?

Submitted by Alan Nitikman (United States), Apr 28, 2003 at 14:54

With your suggestion that we appoint a "strongman" for Iraq, the fallacy of "establishing a democracy" has come full circle, having run it's inevitable course.

What Iraq, what ANY nation needs for a just government, is FREEDOM, INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, A NATION OF LAWS, NOT OF MEN, not a means of voting for dictators. "Democracy," exclusive of a constitution, guarantees of individual rights, separation of Church and State, is merely a means of selecting a dictator. That is no imrovement at all. Please do not forget that Hitler was popularly elected; in fact Saddam himself was popularly "elected", with 100% of the "vote". The trappings of democracy, with the mechanics of voting, means absolutely NOTHING. It never has. In fact, we are a constitutional Republic, not a Democracy. Athens was a pure democracy in its later years and that was one of the leading factors in the fall of that once-great civilization.

You discuss the Magna Carta and several autocratic regimes, such as S. Korea. Why not the United States as a model? We have been the most successful nation in the history of the world. Yet, thanks to modern Multi-culturalism, we seem terrified of being proud of that fact. Who cares what the world says about our imposing our values on another culture? It is our recognition of despots and a tacit refusal to recognize and support our own values around the world that has produced for us so many enemies and so few friends (see Venezuela, Iran). It is time for us to recognize the nature of our own success, our own achievements, and our own philosophical roots and to advance them with pride and not apology.

Theology has no place in government. We can't allow even "moderate" Religious views, Muslim or otherwise, to be incorporated into an Iraqi constitution. It is death to freedom. We can't substitute a "Secular Strongman", either, as that is what we just deposed... Remember? Isn't that why we supported the Shah of Iran, then Saddam against Iran? Do we not learn?

Please reconsider your views on the subject. I have the utmost respect for your knowledge of Islam and the dangers of Islamism, but I find your "solution" no better than the cure.

Regards,
Alan Nitikman

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Daniel Pipes replies:

I endorse democracy as must as you do, and rejoice in living in a fully democratic country. But I am also aware that it takes many years to reach this condition - and that rushing it too much can go awry. I expect that will happen in Iraq.

DP