We did not invade Afghanistan or Iraq to impose democracy. The imposition of democracy is not our normal modus operadus. However, now that we are in these countries, there is nothing wrong with trying to promote democracy, although, indeed, we may not be perfectly successful. In any event, civil liberties are a more important element of liberalization than elections, frankly, because with civil liberties, the basis of political reform is established, whereas a regime that squelches the free exchange of ideas and controls the media, though it may win elections, merely reflects the tyranny of the (controlled) majority.
You obviously do not apppreciate the potential for instability among factions in these countries, to blow it off as opposition to the United States. Afghanistan did not fall apart, and ultimately end up under the oppressive regime of the Taliban, because of US occupation, but because we neglected it after the Soviets were driven out;. Similarly, a premature withdrawal will invite intercommunal violence in Iraq.
It is an Orwellian definition of democracy to suppose that one election can result in dictatorship, which is what you are promoting. |
