Gem,
However, when we attempt to coerce others into accepting democracy in an unwelcome atmosphere,
I'm sorry... Maybe I'm just confused here, but how can we possibly EVER be able to coerce people to rule themselves? I've just never understood that concept.
Now.. if we're deliberately using military force to provide one group of people, with their parochial interests, to dominate other groups of people and deny them their rights, then we're not coercing democracy, but Ochlocracy (mob rule).
Military force in the defense of democratic mechanisms and social reconciliation can only unleash the instinctive desire for people to have a say in how they are governed.
I don't care who you are, no human being likes having some self-declared, unelected, ruling body telling them what they can, and cannot, do.
Of course, those very same people might feel entirely justified in telling OTHERS what they can, and cannnot, do.
And the purpose of democratic mechanisms (elections, rule of law, and inalienable human rights) is to find compromise and tolerance under an established rule of law that pertains to ALL the people of that country.
Hawk |
