How Democracy Fails

The so called "Arab Spring" was supposed to usher in an era of democracy and political self-determination for a region of the world that has known only war for millennia. The traditional westernized, middle eastern dictator is an endangered species. As the battle lines are redrawn, however, a disturbing picture is emerging. When left to determine their own political destinies, the arabs are choosing extremist muslim jihadis over their more moderate counterparts. 

Take, for example, Israel and the Palestinians. The so called "moderate" Palestinians have been marginalized by Hamas, who won the last "election." So now the democratic Palestinians have essentially voted for more violence and perpetual war against Israel.

In Egypt, Mubarak was overthrown by radical elements. The Army took over, forced an end to the violence, and then held elections. The Egyptians voted in Mohamed Morsi, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. Factions within the Brotherhood have historically used terrorist tactics to destabilize the Egyptian government going back to 1928. They were banned as an organization until Mubarak was overthrown. As soon as they were elected, they began taking ever more power away from the country's other constitutional bodies to the point that the Army once again has stepped in to remove Morsi from office. 

In Syria, the violent Assad family has ruled for two generations. Assad is now fighting a desperate war against ISIS for control of the country. The so called "moderate" muslims in Syria have been marginalized in what will no doubt be another example of radical Islam legitimately seizing a country through a quasi democratic process.

Democracy fails when individual rights are not guaranteed. The difference between western democracies and others is the inclusion of some form of a "Bill of Rights" in a constitution or other governing document. It is the recognition that democracy must be tempered that leads to stable government. Government power must also be limited or the tyranny of the majority will ensure instability. When a large enough minority feels its rights are being trampled, they historically take up arms against the institutions that they feel do not represent them. Government is only legitimate so long as it has the consent of the governed. When a governing body loses its credibility, it loses its legitimacy and, by extension, its right to govern. The illegitimate government then fractures, the population balkanizes and, and the various factions go to war.

Democracy cannot work in the middle east until the majority recognizes and agrees to protect the rights of the various minorities. Unfortunately, radical Islam has no room in it for respecting the rights of others. In fact, those who do not worship the same way are executed. Many in the west were giddy about the Arab Spring. Many still hold out hope that Jeffersonian democracy with take root in a region of the world in which women are still stoned for various perceived wrongs. This is just fantasy.

It is time to be realistic about our middle east policy. Iraq was our best effort to bring democracy to the middle east. We failed because, at the end of the day, arabs more strongly identify with religious sects than they do national governments or borders. The fundamental tenants of these sects require idealogical purity. Compromise is, therefore, rarely allowed. As a result, the democratic process ushers in a tyrannical majority, not a peaceful western-like government. That is how democracy fails.