Democracy isn't the best medicine for Pakistan

National Post ^ | 2007-12-28 | George Jonas

[Pietro]

I love articles that tell us we must support the autocrats because the country they rule is too backward for democracy. These are the same savants that condemn us for supporting autocrats when they do something truly repressive such as shut down a newspaper.

Having your cake and eating it too is easy when none of your words carry consequences.

We're in a war. People die in a war. Get acclimated to that reality and lets get on w/ it. Don't navel gaze yourself into sophist nothings.

[org.whodat]

Autocracy is not the real problem in Pakistan, where for a number of years now the mildly oppressive autocracy of Musharraf has been the only thing preventing the country's being taken over by Islamist nutjobs. Anybody who thinks the corrupt "democratic" politicians of Pakistan have the potential to effectively contest control of the country with the Islamist nutjobs without themselves using "undemocratic" means need to find something else to smoke.

I have lived in the hell hole and I can tell you this is an outstanding post. I agree 110%.

[Clive]

One thing that you cannot ascribe to George Jonas is ignorance of tyranny.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

There were persuasive arguments that democracy couldn’t work in Japan after WWII. So what was done that resulted in Japan becoming a model of democracy?

MacArthur ruled Japan as an autocrat, but with democracy in mind. It was clear to the Japanese that they had to act to make their nation a democracy, or they would remain under military rule. And those who rejected the concept were permitted no part in any powerful segment of that society.

Democracy in Japan meant everywhere. From the small assembly of people to the national government, everything had to be decided with voting, and with respect to democracy. No leaders were permitted who were not democrats.

To decry democracy was not just anti-social, it was a crime, equivalent to calling for the overthrow of the government.

Now compare this to Pakistan. Right now, nobody rules over all of Pakistan. It is a nation of enclaves. Until it is unified, there can be no real government, much less democracy.

For years, working with Musharaff, the US has tried to strengthen his power, and the power of his military, with this in mind. Because until it comes about, there can be no rule, even autocracy, in Pakistan. Chaos will defeat order.