OxBlog

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

# Posted 5:14 PM by Taylor Owen  

“AGAINST DEMOCRACY” DOES NOT A CHARACTERIZATION MAKE: While I am in theory sympathetic to the use of the core principles present in most stable democracies (such as the rule of law, free press, protection of human rights, universal suffrage, etc) as a desired goal for potential middle eastern reform, I am highly suspicious of it being used as an unqualified meta-narrative in and of itself. The following statement by Bush exemplifies this concern:

What's very interesting about the violence in Lebanon and the violence in Iraq and the violence in Gaza is this: These are all groups of terrorists who are trying to stop the advance of democracy.

This is both empirically wrong and strategically dangerous. Surely the first step in resolving these three conflicts is to at the very least be honest about the motives and history of their actors. While certain insurgents in Iraq are undoubtedly ‘against democracy’, in so far as Al Qaeda elements are in part fighting against the creation of a democratic state, both Hamas and Hezbollah have widespread public support, represented in free and fair Democratic elections. Admitting this does not mean supporting them in any way, advocating their tactics, or endorsing their rhetoric, worldview or strategic aims. It simply means being honest about the nature of the actors in what is an increasingly perilous regional escalation. Not recognizing the fact that the these groups have democratic legitimacy, not to mention popular support, ignores a major complicating element of the regional dynamic. I do not see the strategic utility in this false simplification.

There is another problem with this characterization. While one could certainly argue that despite being elected Hamas and Hezbollah remain against some of the principles often found in democratic societies (such as those listed above), a far more simplistic, voting based, litmus test, however, is frequently applied to Iraq.

I understand the need for simplistic overarching foreign policy frameworks, the Democrats are certainly in need of one, but if this means the increasingly absurd insistence that all nefarious actors are simply against the “advance of democracy”, I will side with a slightly more nuanced, if less politically expedient, worldview.

(9) opinions -- Add your opinion

Comments:
I think you're right in that each group has some unique characteristics and any lumping of them has limitations.

However, no matter how supportive they may be of democracy when democracy gives them what they want, I will be much more impressed when they embrace a democracy that doesn't give them what they want.
 
Hold on a minute, "electing" Hamas or Hezbollah isn't like electing the Democrats or Republicans. H&H, as I understand it, stifle dissent, prevent the emergence of other political parties, control the media, and keep their populations in fear of their lives through physical intimidation (in the case of the Palestineans, also through their control of UN handouts). They do not necessarily represent the will of their people, just the will of the guys with the guns! Even those "mass demonstrations" we see on TV are probably staged for the benefit of the cameras, and if you don't show up when ordered and chant loudly about the great satan, there may be consequences for you and your family.

While I can agree that the democratization argument is a bit simplistic, I have a real problem with giving Hamas and Hezbollah the label "democratically elected."

The Shia Lebanese do not suffer from too much democracy, but from too little. What they have is a sham. The last thing they need is to be told that they deserve their brutal leaders because they were fairly and freely elected!
 
Even if the elections are the will of the people, it's all a meaningless excersize unless there is a true rule of law.
After, especially in Palestine, the electorate has become insane afer generations of propoganda demonizing Israel and Jews, why would it be surprising that a party advocating the destruction of Israel and elimination of Jews in the ME could win an election.
To think that's a good thing is unbelieavable.
 
"Hamas and Hezbollah have widespread public support, represented in free and fair Democratic elections."

Yes, but they advocate (and practice) the killing of those who disagree with them and the oppression and eradication "infidels." At one time the Klan enjoyed wide popular support in some regions, but I don't think that anyone would characterize it as democratic.
 
With regard to the Palestinians. Before OSLO the Palestians had a robust poliltical system. There were different groups al vying for the eye of the media and the Palestinian people. After Oslo it quickly became clear that you were either with Arafat or you were against him. If you joined with him you lived, if you did not you either left or you died. Who did that leave to oppose Hamas.
 
"While one could certainly argue that despite being elected Hamas and Hezbollah remain against some of the principles often found in democratic societies (such as those listed above), a far more simplistic, voting based, litmus test, however, is frequently applied to Iraq."

It is? You are saying that the Iraqi government doesn't exhibit more support for the rule of law, free press, protection of human rights, and universal suffrage than does Hezbollah and Hamas?

Let's face it, Bush was right. Iraq is an emerging democracy in that there are elections AND a free press, rule of law, etc. Hamasland and Hezbollahland don't exhibit those characteristics at all.
 
Duh.

Democratization is central to our strategy in Iraq, where arguably all our significant opponents , AQ, baathist deadenders, and Sadrists, find a working democracy threatening. It is important, but somewhat less central to our strategy in Lebanon - where the revival of the Leb polity on a democratic basis is the key to eliminating Syrian and Iranian influence, BUT where the Shia, traditionally discriminated against support Hezb even while wanting more equality. Hezb thus wants a more democratic Leb constitution, but is fundamentally against the reconstruction of a viable, democratic Leb state, for the very same reasons its important to us. Hamas, while opposed to liberal democracy, certainly has an interest, for now, in majority rule in the Pal territories - as do we, also, since the lack of it was taking us down a dead end - which does not contradict that the results of the Pal election were negative for us.

Hard enough to reduce the above to a sound bite - harder still when you have the relationship to articulare, nuanced speech that the almighty has blessed Dubya with. So what?
 
If democratization is central to our strategy in Iraq, why did Bush reject early elections?
 
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