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I bet that if you could get a regularly-relected communist government in place, Western governments would be able to deal with it. The problem is governments that get into power and then never have another election.
by asdf on Thu Oct 5th, 2006 at 07:42:18 PM EST

The problem is governments that get into power and then never have another election.

The problem for who exactly?

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 at 04:08:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Obviously, the people who live there. I guess I don't understand the question. A democracy by definition involves some sort of population-derived opinion about the government. If you elect some party and then never hold another election, by what definition is the government a democracy?
by asdf on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 at 06:21:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]
So how exactly is this OUR concern?

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 07:15:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The problem is governments that get into power and then never have another election.

Does this justify a preemptive strike on democracy?

I bet that if you could get a regularly-relected communist government in place, Western governments would be able to deal with it.

So why do Western governments get into a panic every time there is a risk of a regularly-elected Islamist government?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 at 04:24:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Here's a summary of Islamic countries. I'm not sure exactly what constitutes an Islamic government (Turkey is listed, for example), but since when are Western countries in a panic about all of these?
http://www.islamic-world.net/countries/index.htm

Also, note that in English, "Islamist" is closely associated with Islamic fundamentalism and associated paramilitary activities, so an elected Islamist country would in fact be considered undesirable.

by asdf on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 at 06:26:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Algeria.

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 at 07:21:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]
What about Algeria? Is there a Western invasion looming?
by asdf on Fri Oct 6th, 2006 at 07:37:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Didn't you hear about what happened in the 1990's?

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 04:38:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm running on what is probably the mainstream propaganda version of the story, that there was an election, the military didn't like the results, and a civil war ensued. Is there a version where Europe is involved?
by asdf on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 10:49:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Sadly, Europe essentially supported (or condoned) the military coup.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 11:47:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]
This recent thread about islamism and democracy is interesting...

Those whom the Gods wish to destroy They first make mad. -- Euripides
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Oct 7th, 2006 at 01:35:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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