As strange as this heading may seem I have reasons for raising the question.
America must have an advisary with world power strength.
Certain elements of America seem to seek world domination.
Whether it is thru outright intervention or thru suble covert actions our leaders for years have meddled with the destiny of many countries. Always in the name of democracy.

Democracy might not suit all people, all countries.

When Russia was more of a world power it, in a sence, held back the spread of American dominance. Since the weakening of Russia the spread of Americanism has flurished. The loss of a close bond with other allies has been a result.

Already, I see the lessening of the average Americans right to personal freedoms and privacy in the name of expansion and the consequential threats it incompasses. The fight for world democracy can also be a cover for expansion. First, we send in the religious groups to convert to our way of thinking in the name of charity relief. Next comes the buying of the local politicians to influence changes toward Americanization.

American corporations are being encouraged to spread thru-out the world, a form of monetary occupation of a foreign country.

China is the last super power that stands in our way. Luckily China has lasted for 5500 years and its leaders do have wisdom of leadership. The average chinese seems to have our freedoms except the right to speak against the government. It is up to the Chinese people to make changes if they deem them necessary not America. As long as China is a super power American expansion will be held somewhat in check. A good thing for the American people. Our freedoms, as we know them, will remain in place as long as world domination of democracy does not take place. For along with this world domination of democracy, with America in charge, will eventually come dictatorship and the loss of personal freedoms in the name of continuation.

I hope that my ramblings have given you some food for thought in a different direction. Thanks
Comments welcome.

Us extreme leftists, communists and anarchists have been telling people that for years. Always passed off as conspiracy theories by a bunch of crackpot pinkos. While I don't agree that democracy is not for everyone, I do agree that American "democracy" is not for everyone. And I believe full well that true democracy cannot be given, it has to be taken. Our involvement hurts more than it helps. We should assist with arms and troops, but we should not try to force political and economic ideals and not take full charge.

Originally posted by Dan Fussell

Certain elements of America seem to seek world domination.

Could you be more specific ? Stated in this way, this seems rather simplistic.


Whether it is thru outright intervention or thru suble covert actions our leaders for years have meddled with the destiny of many countries. Always in the name of democracy.
Right, even if democracy has usually been forgotten in the process…


Democracy might not suit all people, all countries.
An unbacked affirmation I strongly disagree with. Precisely the kind of propaganda used by dictators all over the world to keep their political opponents in jail.


When Russia was more of a world power it, in a sence, held back the spread of American dominance. Since the weakening of Russia the spread of Americanism has flurished. The loss of a close bond with other allies has been a result.
Not totally untrue but a bit simplistic. The present govt has done more to weaken international support to the USA than the USSR downfall.


Already, I see the lessening of the average Americans right to personal freedoms and privacy in the name of expansion and the consequential threats it incompasses. The fight for world democracy can also be a cover for expansion. First, we send in the religious groups to convert to our way of thinking in the name of charity relief. Next comes the buying of the local politicians to influence changes toward Americanization.
Right.


American corporations are being encouraged to spread thru-out the world, a form of monetary occupation of a foreign country.
Except that corporations have their own agenda and do not care about the USA.


China is the last super power that stands in our way. Luckily China has lasted for 5500 years and its leaders do have wisdom of leadership. The average chinese seems to have our freedoms except the right to speak against the government.


No, no, no ! This just shows you're not well informed about China. Do not take the wealth and western lifesrtyle of the urban elite for a generalized democracy. Just read Kate Hyung's posts to see how human rights in China are trampled every day. And about the so-called wisdom of the post-communist govt, its main achievment has been to keep the power !


It is up to the Chinese people to make changes if they deem them necessary not America. As long as China is a super power American expansion will be held somewhat in check. A good thing for the American people. Our freedoms, as we know them, will remain in place as long as world domination of democracy does not take place. For along with this world domination of democracy, with America in charge, will eventually come dictatorship and the loss of personal freedoms in the name of continuation.

There is some wisdom in the overall message of your post : I think it would be good for the USA as well as for the rest of the world that its superpower status could be balanced by other forces. But I sure don't think communist China is the solution, unless you're nostaligic of the good old cold war era. I think a world made of several stable democratic blocks, with possible antagonism on economic matters but with a common concern for human rights, social achievments and environment, would be a good thing. I really believe the European union should get more political weight, unfortunately this is not what happens… And sure, China, India or South America should also play an important part, but that does not mean we should accept non democratic govts.

I strongly believe that you cannot cram democracy down a people’s throat. Democracy is by the people for the people and you can't give it to someone at gunpoint.

People need to fight for their freedom. We cannot/should not hand it to them. People who are unwilling to fight for their freedom will be unwilling to fight to defend it.

Iraq is surrounded by countries who want to take her over. Do you think these people are going to be willing to defend their “free democracy” when we leave? Are we going to have to stay indefinitely in order for democracy to survive there?

Is our democracy a true democracy? We are at the beck and call of two powerful parties. Two parties that can obligate us to give our assets and lives to their private objectives, where is the democracy in that?

I thank you for your responses, you think, you question, as it should be.
astra, the unnamed elements are those that profit most from deceitful power and profitmaking. Hidden within our democracy.
You speak of simplicity. I agree, the simplicity is to cloak agression within the cry for democracy world wide. Who among us would dare to disagree, when that which we stand for is used as the vehicle. This vehicle can be the Trojan Horse.

Democracy must be demanded by a people. When forced upon them it becomes something else. Democratic leaders installed by another country are pawns of the originating installer. I should have stated that a democracy installed for the wrong reasons is not for all people and countries.

The downfall of Russia allowed the U.S. to enter countries that would have been impossible with a strong Russia backing them.

Never forget that the power of corporations are a main source of political power in the U.S.

Yes the Chinese leaders work to keep power. Just as the Democratic and Republican parties do.
Only a non-democratic power can stand in our way. You will see democratic powers manipulated more in the future.

I absolutely agree that democracy is something that cannot be imposed by another nation. The iraqi exemple is a good one, many other could be given. Anyway, let's face it : most of the military actions / undercover actions made by the USA (or France) during the 50 last years in the name of democracy had in fact many objectives but hardly democracy ! That's how many dictators have been put in place or helped by our countries - Pinochet, the Shah, Saddam himself, Bokassa, and maybe worst of all the dready Habyarimana in Rwanda, who set up the genocide plans with the support of the french army.

And, sure, the nature of democracy in the USA or other "democratic" countries is very questionable. The election system, and also the fact that most citizen do not care to vote, is showing the limits of this system. However, I think that a few things make it worth living in our "democracies" rather than in many other countries (most of the planet indeed).
1- counter-powers. In the USA or Europe, there are always organizations that can question and oppose any institution, even the govt. That means that even a bad govt will have to respond from its acts, and that it won't last forever. That is very important.
2- A relatively independant and uncorrupted justice. No justice system is perfect, but that makes a HUGE difference with the countries where there is no justice, or where it is so corrupt it doesn't help people but rather threatens them.

I think everyone in the world is entitled to live in a country where the govt has to respond of his acts, and where true justice exists. And, sure, it is not possible to force democracy in other countries. But it is possible to support it rather than dictators. It has been a very powerful strategy against apartheid in South Africa ; it has also been done effectively in Serbia, or in Turkey (where the govt had to adopt several human rights laws in order to become a candidate to the EU). It is also possible to prosecute dicators and to seize their goods whenever possible. It has also been done, Belgium having a very bold policy in that way.

I do not share your pessimism towards democracies. Sure they are not perfect but that's all we have.

Originally posted by astrapol2
I do not share your pessimism towards democracies. Sure they are not perfect but that's all we have.

But aren't you a socialist?

But aren't you a socialist?
Socialism is an economic path, not a political one. Most socialists are democratic or anarchists. And in case you haven't noticed, we're slowly being voted into a fucked up version of socialism.

If the US wants to stop terrorism then they'll have to start supporting rebels in dictatorships. And hopefully we can do it right this time, their attempts in the past have been less than successful. Maybe the fact that the Cold War is over will enable them to assist all rebels not just American puppet rebels.

Originally posted by Blibblob
But aren't you a socialist?
Socialism is an economic path, not a political one. Most socialists are democratic or anarchists. And in case you haven't noticed, we're slowly being voted into a fucked up version of socialism.

If the US wants to stop terrorism then they'll have to start supporting rebels in dictatorships. And hopefully we can do it right this time, their attempts in the past have been less than successful. Maybe the fact that the Cold War is over will enable them to assist all rebels not just American puppet rebels.

In a truly socialist society, government control is absolute. But yes, I have unfortunately noticed our nation being voted into what you've appropriately labeled as a "fucked up version of socialism."

I fail to see how you link supporting all rebels to stopping terrorism.

In a truly socialist society, government control is absolute.
Pick up any book by Bakunin, Proudhon, Marx, Engels, Mills, whatever and tell me that it is totaltarian. And don't give me any Bolsheivik crap.

I fail to see how you link supporting all rebels to stopping terrorism.
I didn't say "all". Removal of all totaltarian governments in all countries, replaced with whatever form of a liberal political government will successfully destroy much of terrorist's backing money wise and ideology wise. But as it's been said countless times before, a successful government cannot be given. We cannot just conquer a country and declare it as a "Democracy", there will be little to no support by the people, which is what is required for a democracy to survive, and instead we will have American dependant politicians running a demolished, discouraged country.