Even when we supported the Shah over Mossadegh, he was the legitimate ruler, and had been forced out shortly before.
Mossadegh was prime minister. Would we have supported Queen Elizabeth instead of Parliament and the British Prime Minister? If the Iranians depose a Shah, in what sense does he continue to be "the legitimate ruler"? Where does a ruler's legitimacy come from, a title or from the consent of the people? When a leader is deposed by his own people, he ceases to be "the actually existing regime", that place is then occupied by his successor. I assume you do not believe in divine right.
Re Haiti, there are countries in the world that history has left incapable of any form of Government at all. Our attempt at nation building has "failed" because this is a process that will take generations, not years. Unfortunately, proximity to our shores makes it something we must concern ourselves with to some extent. I do not have a good answer to the Haitian situation; there may be no good answer. One answer that I do NOT think is a good one is to find a compliant dictator, put him in charge, and sit back and ignore him while he loots the country's finances and shoots whoever disagrees with him. |
