Wow. For the life of me I cannot fathom why conservatives can't seem to see through this new-faced threat to our Republic. The quote is pure Leocon Newspeak! American conservatives are pure (small r) republicans. Mr. Hanson's popular sovereignty, for example, would have recently yielded Mr. Gore as our 43rd Pres.
Mr. Hanson's mask frequently slips ... and you just have to look closely to see him.
First off India and Pakistan (Pakistan until 1999 was a democracy and recently held elections, though it is not anywhere near close an ideal democracy it is the type of open government we are trying to create around the world now) hate each other and had several wars!
Israel and Palestine ( Same thing as Pakistan in terms of idealism) the Palestinians voted for Hamas overwhelmingly
Hanson ignores cultural, social and most importantly Religious differences that creat conflicts to begin with.
Next off Democracy isnt permanent. Democracy is not new (Though it has never been this widespread and open) and has faded before. People in a Democratic country must have an intrinsic value for democracy because the believed benefits of Democracy such as economic prosperity and stability are not certain. All countries experience economic depressions and civil unrest and that is when the people are tested as to whether or not they want to face the harsh realities of independence. (Weimer Germany) Some people would rather have Big Brother government take care of them!
Most of all Democracy is a European institute! We dont have a Democracy here in the US. WE have a REPUBLIC! If we had a true democracy their would be no electoral college or Senate! Democracy as James Madison put it can lead to tyranny of the majority! So all the Neo-Cons tend to bend history and misinterpets things for their own convienence!