Democracy In China And Elsewhere

[CitizenZero]

Protests in China remind us that promoting Democracy in places where it does not exist is the morally correct position. It is also in our national security interests. If China were a Democracy it would be an ally and not a rival or enemy. The people of China deserve Democracy and Freedom like any other people.

This would be true in Russia, Iran, or any other nation. People deserve Democracy and it would be a much better and safer world if these nations and peoples were free democracies rather than ruled by authoritarian regimes. The benefit to the world would be vast if we had free democracies instead of authoritarian governments. Representative Democracy is really the only legitimate form of government.

If these nations had democracy we could perhaps cut back on the whole mass of the military industrial complex and develop a peaceful, just, and prosperous world. We could put those vast resources into human well being through health, education, social welfare, and a strong, vibrant, and prosperous economy.

So it is in our own self interest to promote global democracy but it also a moral imperative to do so. We should do everything in our power to promote democracy in places like China, Russia, Iran, and everywhere else in the world. It is our moral responsibility to create a global system of peace, prosperity and democracy and to oppose authoritarianism. It would also create a much safer and secure world.

[Irish_Dem]

1. We must also support our own democracy.

America's role as a global beacon of democracy has taken a beating.
And we are not home free. The GOP continues to wish the US to be an autocracy.

[CitizenZero]

2. Agreed

We need to oppose enemies of the Constitution and Democracy, at home and abroad. The far right has become a security threat in America and a threat to Democracy itself.

[Irish_Dem]

14. Exactly. The GOP is a threat to US national security.

The GOP has colluded with Putin and worked very hard to weaken US democracy.
Our enemies have become embolden by this and are becoming more aggressive and brutal.

The global power structure is shifting and not in a good way.
The GOP is a major reason why this is happening.

[malaise]

15. Is that democracy or plutocracy?

[Irish_Dem]

16. The US has been an oligarchy/plutocracy for some time.

With a periods of democracy shining through.
There was a least an attempt and pretense at a democracy.
But even that is fading away.

[WarGamer]

3. I don't want to sound harsh... but that's a mirror copy of Shrub and the Neocons.

Sometimes... a push for adoption of Democracy ends poorly such as when Egypt's Mubarak was deposed by "Pro-Democracy" forces that leads to violent rule by the Muslim Brotherhood and ending in a military coup.

Oh and forming a Democracy in Iraq worked really swell... and Libya??

Sometimes a gentle transition to Democracy is best.

Oh and China isn't a global adversary because of Communism...

[CitizenZero]

4. No Guarantees

There are no guarantees that a democracy will form. I think we need to support the protestors however we can and promote democracy however we are able to. Global democracy would bring global peace. I don't disagree with the idea of a gentle transition. Whatever works.

[CitizenZero]

6. I Would Add

Bush and the Neocons promoted the idea of democracy as a pretext for using military force. I am not proposing that. I am proposing a peaceful democracy movement. Maybe we could put economic sanctions on China or other authoritarian nations until they improve their human rights and democracy records. This has nothing to do with Neocon militarism and excuses for use of force.

[WarGamer]

7. Economic sanctions ARE a threat to national security, possibly meeting the threshhold of act of war

[CitizenZero]

9. Sanctions

I understand that sanctions could be viewed as a threat to China by the Chinese Government, but I propose the idea of using sanctions carefully and diplomatically. I just think that it would be a big failure not to support democracy in places where it does not exist. The Chinese protestors are brave and we should back them. If we had done more to promote the rule of law and democracy in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union, we might not have Putin and the War in Ukraine right now. Imagine how different the world would be if Russia had become a democracy. Imagine how great the future might be if China became a democracy. There would be a risk in trying to establish democracy anywhere. That does not mean that we should not make the attempt. So we should carefully promote democracy around the world however we can.

[WarGamer]

11. I hear ya...

But it's dangerous.

Promotion of Democracy by the USA inside China is a clear and direct threat to the Gov't and isn't much different than nuclear subs parked off the coastline.

[CitizenZero]

12. I Appreciate Your Caution

But we need to have a strong and smart China Policy. The authoritarian regime in China is not just going to go away. It is dangerous however you slice it. We might as well take a pro-democracy stance. An isolationist or hands off policy will just kick the problem down the road. China is going to be a power going forward no matter what we do. Hopefully we can develop peaceful relations with them rather than becoming enemies.

[WarGamer]

13. I'd argue that Democracy is already on the march.

Movies, internet... social media...

The Chinese people don't exist in a vacuum. With time, their thirst for freedom will only grow.

Instead of trying to force people onto your team... just be a winning team with the best uniforms, cheerleaders and after parties... the other players will WANT to be on your team.

[Prairie_Seagull]

5. As long as the worlds democracies can build factories in China and elsewhere.

There is little economic motivation for countries to consider change.

[CitizenZero]

8. Economic Sanctions

I would propose putting economic sanctions on countries that have bad human rights records and no democracy. We should use diplomacy and economic pressure to support pro-democracy forces. Not easy to do, but it could possibly pay off.

[Tetrachloride]

10. Some sanctions informally exist such as denying visas

I have been asked a few times to assist in getting visas to America. I told them it won’t work without extraordinary circumstances.