Western style democracy

eyeswideopen

can it succeed in the arab world?

should the west be exporting it's idea of democracy?

Osiris

Well, I think the general idea of the west promoting democracy in the arab world is a good idea, because its not going to magically appear there, the arab populace is too oppressed to be able to get any sort of democracy on its own.
I think the way the west needs to do it is to encourage it through incentives and discourage undemocratic governments with sanctions. None of this democracy through the barrel of a gun business. And the west needs to be able to accept the result, even if its not a pro-western government that gets elected.
I am an egyptian-american, and I applaud the US government (which I RARELY do these days) for condemning Egypt's government for the series of round ups occuring during the current parliamentary elections. I would like to see a response stronger then condemnation, however.

unknownuser

Hi,

I'd say democracy is absolutely necessary in all parts of the world, coz it is the most fair and effective system that can exsist in today's world.

But I wouldnt say, it should be a 'western style democracy' coz comeon, United states and democracy and justice??????????
If by 'western style democracy', u mean power obsessed mean politicians, lack of transparency in the system and its functioning etc.......... It definitely is not a good idea.

But 'democracy' as it is really meant to be, is definitely a good system for the arab world and elsewhere as well.

eyeswideopen

But I wouldnt say, it should be a 'western style democracy' coz comeon, United states and democracy and justice??????????
If by 'western style democracy', u mean power obsessed mean politicians, lack of transparency in the system and its functioning etc.......... It definitely is not a good idea.

But 'democracy' as it is really meant to be, is definitely a good system for the arab world and elsewhere as well.

"democracy as it is really meant to be". well.........i don't that exists anywhere. that is why i said "western style", and i would agree with your assessment of our "democracy". democracy requires leadership, we don't have leaders making decisions, we have money and power making decisions. my first understanding of my country's disingenous (sp) capitalist democracy appeared to me when i was around 20 yrs old and i was in front of the Helmsley Palace.(http//newyorkpalace.com/about_the_palace/)
The owners, Harry and Leona Helmsley, had enough money for ten lifetimes, and were under indictment for tax evasion.
Living in a cardboard box across the street, was a homeless, legless, war veteran.

sawtooth

You would have to look at the iroquios council to find what our democracy was first based on.

As for using it is the middle east, I am not sure it could coexist happily with the deeply rooted traditions and religions of the area. Too much heirarchy in classes (pretty much why it is beginning to fail the west). Perhaps they will learn from our mistakes and find something that can appease both the new and the old, the cultures religions and the nation.

The people of the Six Nations, also known by the French term, Iroquois Confederacy, call themselves the Hau de no sau nee (ho dee noe sho nee) meaning People Building a Long House. Located in the northeastern region of North America, originally the Six Nations was five and included the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. The sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, migrated into Iroquois country in the early eighteenth century. Together these peoples comprise the oldest living participatory democracy on earth. Their story, and governance truly based on the consent of the governed, contains a great deal of life-promoting intelligence for those of us not familiar with this area of American history. The original United States representative democracy, fashioned by such central authors as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, drew much inspiration from this confederacy of nations. In our present day, we can benefit immensely, in our quest to establish anew a government truly dedicated to all life's liberty and happiness much as has been practiced by the Six Nations for over 800 hundred years.

http//www.ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/index.html

eyeswideopen

The original United States representative democracy, fashioned by such central authors as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, drew much inspiration from this confederacy of nations.

In our present day, we can benefit immensely, in our quest to establish anew a government truly dedicated to all life's liberty and happiness much as has been practiced by the Six Nations for over 800 hundred years.

for 800 years. and then came the white man. guess Franklin and Jefferson didn't draw ENOUGH inspiration.

sawtooth

Ya, I think there might be something more to the pigment of skn then we know so far

Seriously, at least Franklin tried, it wasn't until later as money and individual power came into play, that it totally lost dirrection

Jaxal

SaLaM eyeswideopen

"democracy as it is really meant to be". well.........i don't that exists anywhere.

Then its about time we started it. Democracy, the was God would want it.

unknownuser

Hi Eyeswideopen and all,

"democracy as it is really meant to be". well.........i don't that exists anywhere. that is why i said "western style", and i would agree with your assessment of our "democracy". democracy requires leadership, we don't have leaders making decisions, we have money and power making decisions. my first understanding of my country's disingenous (sp) capitalist democracy appeared to me when i was around 20 yrs old and i was in front of the Helmsley Palace.(http//newyorkpalace.com/about_the_palace/)
The owners, Harry and Leona Helmsley, had enough money for ten lifetimes, and were under indictment for tax evasion.
Living in a cardboard box across the street, was a homeless, legless, war veteran.

Yeah, I know what u mean!

Yeah, Democracy is a good system but has become a joke in many nations where it is practised.

Do people indeed have voice?

And how transparent is this democracy?
I think the elected represntatives should function in a transparent manner, and be answerable to the people who they represent.

They should not behave like God(George Bush is the best example for that. well, what can we say, he also hears God's voice commanding him wink ) like they do now, which is absolutely ridiculous.

Democracy in America, is kind of a joke too, I think.
Propably some one needs to rescue american people from Bush too. Wonder who can do that?lol

Honestly, democracy in many countries today, suck becoz of those power obsessed politicians who have created good room for ''lack of transparency and accountability'' in the system and have corrupted it in toto.

Peace!

mquran

can it succeed in the arab world?

should the west be exporting it's idea of democracy?

Our questions should be

What IS democracy?
Does 'the west' practise 'democracy' or 'parliamentarism' ?
Does al-quraan allow any compromise with those who disbelieve?
Does Al-islaam depend on the democractic process to be established (iqamu ad-deen - 42/13).

savage_carrot

Peace mq,

Good to see you back and posting!

bmbmm

Hi,

Please read "The Screw Tape Letters" by C.S.Lewis. I have never read the real definition of democracy anywhere else. You will love it! lol

mquran

Salaam Nadya,

Thanks, Very nice of you to say.