Democracy, War and the Illusion of Public Opinion

ALARAB

In the West, there isn't just one democracy; there are different types, all with differences in application and ethics between them. But if American democracy is the most important democracy, it is a million times more a democracy of war than a democracy of values. The need for war is dictated by the size of its interests and the expansion of areas of influence defended by that particular 'democracy'. The variables of size and nature of interests are the essential differences and this can be seen in the huge disparity between the Swiss democracy and the American one. Accordingly, had the Swiss one tenth of the US interests in the world, they would have been no less 'cowboys' than those in Texas.

In fact, the nature of the capitalist economy and its constant need for expansion and growth are the source of the aggressive tendency of great capitalist/democratic systems. The values of democracy - freedom, justice, equality, etc - do exist, and they can be referred to whenever needed; however, they do not work when the need for war is the main tool of defending their interests. All words about democracy would become empty words, and all ethical arguments fall under the feet of the oldest parliaments if war is on the door step. Since 'the national interest' comes first, the majority keep quiet at best, if they do not connive.

Is there any doubt that both Houses of the British Parliament which have hundreds of MPs and Lords can be considered gods of noble human values and ethics? Of course there isn't. But even this parliament allowed a charlatan prime minister like Tony Blair to lie to it, and lead the country into a dirty war. Of course, it was necessary to market those goals as an ultimate example of love for democracy and to save the Iraqi people from dictatorship. Here we are. These are the same people on whom atrocities, tortures and violations are committed everyday by the occupation forces. Read more [Alarab is not 'firefox friendly']