Should the United States attempt to spread democracy throughout the Middle East?

Question

Should the United States attempt to spread democracy throughout the Middle East? Why or why not? Do you believe that attempts at nation building will lead to greater freedom and liberty in the Middle East, or will America's efforts backfire and encourage another generation of terrorists?

Answer 1

I think the US should support and propose a democratic society for all countries that do not experience its benefits.  Every man, woman and child on this planet is entitled to a free society without oppression, we knew this 200 years ago, and we created this, we should share it with everyone.

America's attempts at nation building may or may not work out as planned.  We'll just have to wait and see.  Each effort is different.  We were successful in Germany and Japan, but not so much as in other cases.  I do feel that we are giving Iraq an honest attempt at bettering their society.

Answer 2

NO. Absolutely not. The call for democracy must come from the people and not by outside influence.

The Middle East is a region of the world that is basically several hundred years behind the rest of the free world. They have been towed along into the 21st century without going through any of the growing pains. They have no convictions for wanting democracy unlike us. Plus their religion does not have room for democracy.

Answer 3

It's an exercise in futility to attempt to instill Democracy over there. Their Theocracies have been in place since Biblical times; they're not about to change now.

Answer 4

No, its called imperialism. The United States can call it what they want, but when you invade a country and try to re-formulate their government beliefs, it is imperialism.

Consider if China decided that since Bush is a war criminal, we are going to invade, spread communism, and everything will be ok. Whats the difference?

And we act like when we turn our heads and wave goodbye to Iraq, the Islam world of the Middle East is just going to sit there and watch Iraq, a core location in the region, attempt to segregate itself from the surrounding nations. We've caused a much greater problem than we started out with, and for what cause? WMDs? I like how they try and state that we are winning the war now since our surge/s have been successful. If you define success as less troops dieing than the month before, so help us God.

Answer 5

There are people in the Middle East who can benefit from Democracy.  The problem is Islam.  As long as Islam underpins their legal system and their societies, Democracy will not work, as Democracy and Islam are not compatible.  However, to the degree that the people in the M.E. are willing to set aside Islam, Democracy has a chance.

Answer 6

For ****'s sake, NO.

Answer 7

Why not? we definitely have a knack for sticking our noses where they don't belong and forcing our beliefs on others.

Answer 8

We should not attempt it. The people of the middle east are already organized by tribal governments. Instead of marking countries and telling them whom to ally with, we should just encourage them to develop treaties among themselves. They should in return grant rights to the women and children in their tribe. Peace in the area is far more important than the form of government.

The Saudi's for example, take care of their people and are still a monarchy with all power going to the royal family. The form of government is not as critical as our ability to have dealings with them.

Answer 9

No, but I think we should spread BOMBocracy to show them who is boss and their antics will not be tolerated any longer.

Worked for Japan, no?

Answer 10

We have to do something to change the way things are in the Middle East right now.

The root cause of Islamic terrorism is the way the society's in the Middle East are set up.  Comprehensive reform in the middle east will not only end terrorism at its source - but it will improve the lives of everybody who lives there.

Answer 11

no