Self- determination is meaningless unless it is in a context of the free flow of information, wide ranging debate, absence of political oppression, election of officials, protection of minority rights, recurring elections (to register changes in the public's perception), and so forth.
In any case, one of the reasons we do business with disreputable characters is precisely because we accept the regimes "on the ground", rather than forcing our system on people, so it is ridiculous to chide us for being arrogant. I wish we were more arrogant, that is, pushed for democratization more forthrightly.
What is being called self- determination in this case is the ability of despots to repress and endlessly propagandize the majority of the population. Perhaps that sounds like "self- determination" to you, but I would call it a contradiction in terms....... |
