The US and Iraq; democracy and authoritarianism
Iraq-USA, Analysis, 2/3/2003

When Iraq seeks to deal with an issue, or a person who had broken the law in political matters, it is often stated that there are no public hearings, no presentations of facts, no legal and credible defense is allowed for the defendant to represent himself, and judgment is final with no recourse for appeal, to judiciary or other institutions. Similarly, in political matters, things are decided in a top down matter, without public debate, transparency, open hearing, airing of opposing views, no appeal process, no political process that seeks to find a democratic consensus, that is guided by the rule of law, and transparency. It is what ever the top leadership decides, the others have no choice but to follow, willingly or not.

And such is the authoritarian way.

Where as the rule of law and transparency are at the heart of what makes a democracy a democracy, what underlies the rule of law and transparency are values that people believe in. Values of justice and fairness, that can best be achieved when there is rule of law and transparency, manifested by a process of public hearings on issues, fair presentation of facts, a vote on the facts and the the course to be taken, and an appeal process, etc... All these are things that are at the heart of democratic systems, that stem from values the public believes in, and that guard against passions of the public from itself.

The United States of America has a chance to show that it believes in these values, not for itself only, but for others. It is before a choice of two ways of dealing with a problem. It can show what it truly believes in. The path it takes will show clearly how strongly Americans believes in their values, and the righteousness of their values, for themselves and others. Will Americans lead based on shortsighted interest, or based on values that are known to serve in the short and long term. The US has the world's attention. Here is a chance for America to show how strongly it believes in democratic values and processes. It can choose a democratic or authoritarian way of dealing with international problems. The world is watching.

Previous Stories:
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