"The Rise of Illiberal Democracy"

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
"The Rise of Illiberal Democracy"
4
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 10:54am
Very long, but very interesting article contemplating the difference between democracy and liberalism (as in constitutional liberties). I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, etc. with regard to this article! I think it has some bearing on the elections that are to be held in January in Afghanistan and Iraq.

http://www.fareedzakaria.com/articles/other/democracy.html

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 12:42pm
Bumpin' it up. Any comments?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 2:57pm
could you shorten it in German or English for me. I don`t have so much time at the moment

Yes, the European and the American way of thinking as you probably know is somewhat different. In certain things, Americans think as we did decades ago!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 4:09pm
Basically, the point of the article is that having free and fair elections does not insure that civil liberties will protected. Also, democracy does not necessarily ensure these liberties (right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness). One of the most poignant remarks the article makes is that Iran has a much more democratically elected legislature than the US, but we honor civil liberties, whereas the Iranian goverment limits the civil liberties of its citizens. To me, this is something we should definitely take into consideration when talking about "spreading democracy" to the world.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 5:37pm
thanks so much.

well about spreading democracy this a point that can be discussed, because basically the West thinks it should impose their sort of view upon people who are used to live and think otherwise. That means...it is almost a sort of missionaries to the people.

It is up to the people-with our help if needed, but not Iraq-like to make a difference.

We in West got it, and undoubtedly everyone get his rights as he wishes somehow.

when we make make people angry, of course we will get fanatics.

Albert Einstein said: He doesn`t what the weapons of WWIII will be made of, but those of WWIV will be made of stone