Gloomy weeks for the western world: the elections in Egypt and Russia threaten to transform the Arab spring as well as the hoped for political thaw with Moscow into an icy winter. In both cases the high expectations of a democratic development have proved to be bitter illusions.
The army leadership in Cairo is solidifying its foothold in the areas of security as well as every day politics and economy. Arguably, the old generals vacate their positions for younger colonels but the junta at the top is in control. Without any haste it is seeking partners within the camp of Islamists of all different shades - from the traditional Muslim Brotherhood to the mightily growing Salafists.
Whereas the former are politically more flexible and attract supporters from different strata and political nuances, the latter are fanatical, uncompromising, and faithful to the Sharia and the notion of universal jihad. Their hatred against America and Israel, their connections to Hamas and Hezbollah and their backing of a dangerous, aggressive policy in Gaza makes them a big political risk factor.
All this must be seen against a backdrop of a catastrophic economic situation in this country of 81 million Egyptians. Tourism and investments from abroad could reach zero point soon.
It was not only dreamers in the free world who had hoped that the "bloodless" fall of the Soviet system would bring about a new era of democratic development, rule of law and a liberal constitution in Russia. The elections which were meant to procure Vladimir Putin a second term in office and thus 12 years as autocratic ruler of this gigantic realm, seemed to have been accompanied, alas, by attempts at intimidation of voters and the prosecution of leaders of the opposition and sympathisers. These autocratic, arbitrary tendencies should worry even the most moderate political realists.
The consequences of both elections go far beyond the immediate political scene. They open up dangerous prospects at a time when the pillars of the free world - The United States and Europe - are shaken by crises, disputes and doubt in the area of world economy and internal labour markets. This is going to be a severe winter for us. Only if we read the signal correctly can we weather the cold.
Peter Worthington: Opposition to Vladimir Putin a Sign of Democracy
Israel has 6 million of the world's 7 billion human beings. It's a complete and total irrelevance to us and, more than this, actually the largest single threat to peace on earth.
Good luck to them- they'll need it against Iran.
Let Israel go it alone. Here's what every American living under debt needs to know:
http://todayfreedom.blogspot.com/2011/10/here-ya-go-america.html
Nearly spilled my freedom fries...
- While both regimes are likely to be authoritarian, there's a difference between a secular dictatorship and a theocracy. The former is repugnant, but usually retains at least some pragmatism and logic; the latter is fanatic and can only lead to primitivism -- see Iran & Saudi Arabia for textbook examples.
- Russia is in a much better economic position, compared to Egypt. Economic success is of paramount importance. Relative welfare leads to cultural and human development. Poverty results in primitivism. People who are staed look for freedom; people who are hungry look for someone to hang.
I see a high probability that Russia will evolve towards democracy, despite Putin. Unfortunately, I have to say the opposite about Egypt. The West should clearly state that effective economic aid (in the form of a "Marshal Plan" for Egypt) is contingent on social, religious and political liberal reforms.
Absolute nonsense.
To all extents and purposes all of Europe remained a theocracy until the 15th century at least. Ireland remained in the grip of the Church until the 1960s at the absolute latest.
Why is it we white westerners assume that theocracy only breeds "primitivism" if it is brown or Islamic?
Tibet was and will one day once again be a theocracy - the Dalai Lama (one of the most popular figures in the entire modern world) is a God-King with absolute executive power.
The Caliphate was one of the most astounding periods of human social, scientific, academic and literary flourishing the world had ever seen.
To be frank, if Capitol Hill (with its Offices For Sale To the Highest Bidding Lobby) is the embodiment of democracy then it's no wonder they aren't too keen on our form of government. And besides, democracy could hardly be called a roaring success - look at the history of the US and Europe - endless massacre and bloodshed and theft. All of it "democratic".
Whatever the east wants, the east must have. That's just how democracy works, after all.
>>>"Europe remained a theocracy until the 15th century"
Precisely. And it was primitive. So was Tibet, when it was independent. Dalai Lama is "one of the most popular figures in the entire modern world" because of his non-violent approach, despite the victimisation of Tibet.
The Caliphate was only "flourishing" in comparison to the even more primitive Europe of the time. What was "relatively advanced" in the 8th century is primitive in the 21st.
As for your throwing mud at the Western democracy and its achievements, the proof of the pudding is in the eating: it's the Arabs/Muslims who queue for the right to immigrate to the West; not the other way around.
>>>"Whatever the east wants, the east must have."
Sure. But they must bear the responsibility for it, not forever blame others. And while they can have what they want, we don't have to like it or cooperate with it.
For conservatives, the Egyptian illusion ended when it became clear that the Muslim Brotherhood and even more militant Islamists would be allowed to run for office (they're winning the elections btw, not that the military is going to hand over power to them). Any remaining illusion was shattered with the hand raping of female reporters by "pro-democracy" demonstrators (chanting anti-USA, anti-Israeli slogans).
However the illusion still lives on for many on the left. Illusion trumps reality for the left. They want to believe that all people are good (except for conservatives).
Really, dkrypt?
As opposed to...?
Conservatives' beliefs that EVERYBODY [except Israel] is an enemy of the US and they are out to get us so we need to attack them "pre-emptively'?
We all know how well that went under the Bush-Cheney regime...
And we are still paying the price!
Why do you think the national debt is in the trillions??
Wars are very expensive [and definitely not worth fighting simply because the neocons' doctrine demands it!]