What are the prerequisites of democracy?
(Information taken from wikipedia)
~Causes (prerequisites) of democracy: There is considerable debate about the factors which affect or ultimately limit democratization. A great many things, including economics, culture, and history, have been cited as impacting on the process. Some of the more frequently mentioned factors are: Wealth(GDP/capita), Education, Capitalism, Social equality, the existence of a Middle class, Culture, and Homogeneous population.
Do these prerequisites exist in Afghanistan?
Simply put, No. These prerequisites are, for the most part nonexistent in Afghanistan at the present.
If not, can they be implanted by a foreign power?
I'd say probably not.
~Quote from Hoover Digest - Democracy in Afghanistan? Don't Hold Your Breath By Robert J. Barro
"The Western ideal for representative democracy involves free, multiparty elections and maintenance of civil liberties. As Aristotle realized, and as the evidence from a large number of countries demonstrates, democracy is almost never sustained in a country that has income and education levels as low as those in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Washington always recommends democracy, even to the poorest nations, and the results have included such failures as the new Congo and Haiti.
"Freedom House's latest ratings place Afghanistan in the lowest categories for electoral rights and civil liberties. This lack of democracy corresponds to the predictions I would make from the country's economic and social conditions. Given where Afghanistan is today, my statistical analysis implies that the chance a midrange democracy - characteristic at present of countries such as Turkey and Indonesia - will exist five years from now is less than 1 percent."
I think most would agree that Afghanistan doesn't have the prerequisites for democracy, as you said. But whether or not America can hand it to them is debatable. A lot of people have termed the war as "The New Vietnam", which I agree with.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it is worth it? Should we pull out, wasting the time and resources we've already used, or expend more even if it's risky?
If not democracy, then what type of government should Afghanistan have? For my part, I cannot believe that tyranny or Communism would help the Afghan people more. Perhaps there is another alternative that I have not thought of.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Iraq is now a democratic country, even though it was ruled for years by a merciless dictator. America has had success there, why not in Afghanistan?
If America pulls out without achieving complete victory, then Afganistan will be right back where it started. The Taliban will still work to destroy freedom, and America will be at risk.