How to fix Syria, or pretty much the entire continent of Africa. Religious fanaticism, tribalism etc., is it culturally arrogant to think these places are a few hundred years behind the rest of us and its time to let the light in?
Syria is presented as lunatic ISIS or evil Assad - does it have to be either/or?, while I gather democracy has no history in the Middle East (and I know western democracies are far from perfect but they're light years ahead of what's out there), should we give Syria a constitution enshrining basic human rights (one person one vote, equality of women etc), freedom of religion, separation of church & state, decent education & healthcare, a transparent & fair justice system (& yes wags, we'd like them ourselves first...). Give them a political model that could work - probably some sort of powersharing between various factions. You might say who are we to tell them what they should have, or isnt this just failed imperialism all over again??, but I think its clear that leaving to their own devices doesnt work either, and their problems find their way to Europe.
Think of it as democratic government with training wheels, an ever-present troika if you will. Would take a heavy UN presence to keep the peace of course, but its more Marshall Plan than send them back to the stone age. The idealistic thought would be that if people lived in peace, without fear of the state, with a fair opportunity for health & happiness, then maybe they wouldn't hate the west (or alternatively risk their life to try to get there). If they could participate in some prosperity there might not be the resentment that some evidently feel. Killing islamic fundamentalism with kindness, if you know what I mean (I'd be all for more direct means of dealing with ISIS it has to be said).
Throughout Africa, the plight of the people not helped by their governments. Must it necessarily be the case that their populations are at the whim of a bad harvest?, or some tribal push? I'm afraid the conclusion is that these nations currently do not have the capability to govern themselves - and if money were no object then, again, I think they would be in a better place if they had a managed democratic government. I know 'imposed' democracy or managed democracy are contradictions, but in western situations you know the majority in parliment will not vote to slaughter the minority - in Africa you just wouldn't know......
Syria is presented as lunatic ISIS or evil Assad - does it have to be either/or?, while I gather democracy has no history in the Middle East (and I know western democracies are far from perfect but they're light years ahead of what's out there), should we give Syria a constitution enshrining basic human rights (one person one vote, equality of women etc), freedom of religion, separation of church & state, decent education & healthcare, a transparent & fair justice system (& yes wags, we'd like them ourselves first...). Give them a political model that could work - probably some sort of powersharing between various factions. You might say who are we to tell them what they should have, or isnt this just failed imperialism all over again??, but I think its clear that leaving to their own devices doesnt work either, and their problems find their way to Europe.
Think of it as democratic government with training wheels, an ever-present troika if you will. Would take a heavy UN presence to keep the peace of course, but its more Marshall Plan than send them back to the stone age. The idealistic thought would be that if people lived in peace, without fear of the state, with a fair opportunity for health & happiness, then maybe they wouldn't hate the west (or alternatively risk their life to try to get there). If they could participate in some prosperity there might not be the resentment that some evidently feel. Killing islamic fundamentalism with kindness, if you know what I mean (I'd be all for more direct means of dealing with ISIS it has to be said).
Throughout Africa, the plight of the people not helped by their governments. Must it necessarily be the case that their populations are at the whim of a bad harvest?, or some tribal push? I'm afraid the conclusion is that these nations currently do not have the capability to govern themselves - and if money were no object then, again, I think they would be in a better place if they had a managed democratic government. I know 'imposed' democracy or managed democracy are contradictions, but in western situations you know the majority in parliment will not vote to slaughter the minority - in Africa you just wouldn't know......