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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: kumar who wrote (48985)	10/2/2002 7:58:35 PM
From: Machaon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

<< In some parts of the world, a monarchy (and if abused, one might call it dictatorship), is the way it is, and has been for centuries. and in some instances, it has been better than democracy. >> Ah, yes. Enslaved people are always very happy. Of course, the "unhappy" people are usually put in jail, so you had better be happy. That is the way it is in Cuba. A lot of happy, hungry Cubans. Their leader, Castro, has socked away billions, but the people are so very happy. If they are caught talking against Castro's policies, they are put in jail, or lose their jobs, or lose their homes, but...... they are still very happy people. The happiest people are probably in North Korea. It has been told, that North Koreans starve to death with smiles on their faces.

To: kumar who wrote (48985)	10/2/2002 8:41:24 PM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 281500

In some parts of the world, a monarchy (and if abused, one might call it dictatorship), is the way it is, and has been for centuries. and in some instances, it has been better than democracy. Fine.. let them be a monarcy, if their people will tolerate it. But don't let them sit on the UN security council. That's my sole point.. The UN was designed as a democratic body, not a playground for despots to extort money and aid from other nations through political blackmail. We made two mistakes, permitting the USSR and PRC to hold permanent seats on the UNSC. It's about time we reverse that trend and make it mandatory that only democratically elected governments (as determined by international election observers) can be members of the UNSC. And if I were able to REALLY have my way, I would declare that any nation could be a member of the UN general assembly, but only democratic nations could actually vote. Can you imagine the change such a ruling would create throughout the world?? Btw, you can be a monarchy and still have a popularly elected parliament and prime minister. And as an aside, the reason that many nations have difficulty in implementing democracy is because they don't associate economic policies with the political system. Property rights, in many cases, are more important than the right to vote. And those property rights must be extended down to the common farmer, household, etc... Because with property rights, you have to create a legal system to administer them at a local level. And on the basis of that legal system, you then have a foundation for democracy that is sustainable. Personal human rights mean little if you don't possess economic rights and the framework to preserve them. Hawk