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To: re3 who wrote (154688)	3/24/2003 2:10:37 PM
From: Oeconomicus	Respond to of 164684

...which middle eastern countries meet your definition to be deemed democratic right now? "Democratic" is a relative term, so rather than judging them to either be or not be democratic, I'd look at how democratic they are now and whether they are becoming more or less democratic. After all, the US is not purely democratic and in its past, has demonstrated some of the same undemocratic behaviors as certain middle east countries have in the last couple decades. Turkey is democratic, IMO, though it has oppressed Kurdish and other minorities (just as we did with Native Americans, blacks and others). Israel is democratic, even for Palestinian citizens, but it also occupies Palestinian lands, depriving the people of those lands of democratic rights. Iran has been moving toward democratic rule, but is not there yet as the elected government holds only the power the clergy allows it, essentially serving at the will of the clergy rather than the people. Qatar and Bahrain, though small, are also relatively democratic and Qatar, in particular, allows a high degree of political and social freedom, including a free press (it also allows women to vote). Jordan is also relatively democratic, as a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature (lower house) and multiple political parties, though some might argue it is intolerant of dissent. Hope that helps.