is it possible to forcibly set up a democracy?

If so, how?

Democracies only work when they are desired from within a population.

I think that's part of rabid nerd's point, too.

they want a representational scheme where the Shi'a must ally with either the Sunnis or the Kurds to rule - and where Al-Sistani is a tiny minority voice. That way, the "moderate coalition" will want to keep US power handy to prevent the more radical Shi'a from taking over.

I suspect Al-Sistani and Al-Sadr are playing Good Cop/Bad Cop. Al-Sistani realizes that he will NOT get anywhere near the levers of power as long as BushCo is around, so he unleashes Al-Sadr and hopes that the international community will see him as the compromise.

Of course they don't, and never did. I'm just wondering at the disconnect in the wider understanding of what we're supposedly doing in Iraq.

But only by those on the inside, not imposed from the outside.

I.E. Revolutionary War

I should have said "forcibly impose". Nice catch.

but I guess some people could be helped to bring a democracy about. But this war wasn't about democracy, WMD's or imminent threats. It was about putting military bases in to increase our political and economic hegemony.

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Like Bush President?

:shrug: Although I would make a strong exception in rabid_nerd's terms (see above).

i used to be idealist & think dat it can be done. but now i noe it's a complicated thing. i come from a pseudo-democracy, we've elections but it's a farce as your choice is mostly limited to the main party. but objectively, we've come a long way from our early days of anarchy and uncertainty. u need a benevolent strong leader in the beginning to ensure fair law & order and make sure everybody's got fair share & enuff to eat. after that, then we can have time to sit down & intellectually talk about democracy. look @ taiwan, they've gone that way & now they've got a maturing democracy. but it takes decades. in iraq, the US is sure to fail if they have any illusions at all about doin democracy in just a few short years. the intellectual and educated will like it but they have no power. power lies in the grassroots religious clerics. it will be a very big disastrous mistake...

that you're the first DUer from Singapore. Welcome, and interestingly said!

if it comes by way of a revolution yes, because it comes from within-supported by the will and self determination of citizens.

if it comes from outside imposing force,no.
democracy is an ideal containing within principals and laws,which must be respected and accepted by the populace and adhered to if it is to work. the ideal of democracy cannot be imposed, and you cannot
force someone to respect nor accept it.

How can you setup any kind of government, if people don't want it? This revenge move by Bush is not a way to set up any kind of psuedo government.

see? :D

Yup, that's the feeling, indeed! :D

Please note that I use the term with a small "d". As I am sure you will. :)

:)

post WW-2. Yes there are significant differences with Iraq, but Hitler was not "Voted out".

Irony is NOT dead - but unfortunately it's just lost on some.

with a little help from the locals ;->

peace

Let's all celebrate the government that was jammed down our throat! Not! Somehow I think we'd feel somewhat less enthused if that were the case.