>How, I'm wondering, could we 'bring democracy' to
>another nation? Perhaps there is some formula, some
>method, which our imaginations have failed to conjure.
> All I can imagine unfortunately are various types of
>condescension and coercion, sweetened (at least in
>appearance and rhetoric) by the milk of liberal
>kindness.
The rule of law and respect for the rule of law is a crucial foundation of democracy. And since the US occupation of Iraq was itself a flagrant breach of the rule of international law, it is not possible for the US occupation to lead to democracy. Of course simply deserting Iraq after having destroyed the dictatorship won't lead to democracy either.
Democracy has to be built on confidence, a trust that those who win elections will not use power to oppress those who lose. That everyone, including the elected government, will abide by the law and be treated equally under the law. Americans don't even understand that themselves, or practice it at home, so it is going to be difficult for them to teach it to Iraqis.
To sum up, you can lead a horse to water, but can't make it drink. Americans don't know what water is, let alone where it is. It follows can't even lead horses to it.
Bill Bartlett Bracknell Tas