Fareed Zakaria on whether we can export democracy

People think you can export democracy to Iraq or Afghanistan. But there are two misunderstandings: the first is that people say you can't export democracy because their cultures are different. But that isn't really true. We have seen democracy develop from the small states in the northern part of Europe, to North America to Korea, Japan and India. The second mistake is to think: Oh! You can do it anywhere anytime. I think the reality is that democracy can spread around the world, but it has to be a process of organic development from within societies. You can help that process, you can engage in certain kinds of foreign policy and nation-building activities, but you have to be modernizing the country. Democracy is a modern form of government.
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[teddymeldrum]

democracy can at best be imported if/when there is a demand from within; but it cannot be exported to hostile "customers".

[xyzjohnwesley]

And its costly too ! why am I going to sacrifice my life to bring democracy to Iraq!

[456inthemix]

Never impose something if people are not ready for !

[TacticusPrime]

Zakaria is one of my favorite human beings.

[maximuslaurius]

Democracy cant be built without foundations; you cant put the roof on without the house in the first place - rule of law and functioning institutions come (and came) first.

[anca4]

@newtype64 ... democracy is the ideology, republic regards the form of the state... as far as I know

[newtype64]

How can America spead democracy around the world? America is not even a democracy!!! America is a republic.

[megamarsvin]

You know the old saying: "No amount of learning can cure stupidity, and formal education positively fortifies it."

[hkjonus]

dont feel shame in not finishing college. I witnessed how the Privileged Frat Boys like Bush made it through. They have nothing to be proud of, And in his case, was not educated. Besides, Bush's intent was not "democratization" of Iraq. It was simply to over throw Saddam and look like a big shot.

He used WMD as a cover, and when those werent found he suddenly discovered Democracy.

[megamarsvin]

That's exactly right. Make a McDonalds hamburger look good on TV and people will want one, go to their house and force feed them burgers for a week and I can guarantee you've lost a customer.

Sadly, even as a college drop-out with no training in politics, I seem to understand this better than the white house.