Winston Churchill once said, ‘Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others they have tried.’ Most everyone in America can agree we favor democracy over totalitarianism or theocracy. We hold democracy so highly that President Harry S. Truman even indoctrinated, ‘We will go anywhere and do anything to stop communism and promote democracy.’
This doctrine brought us the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Similarly, the Bush Doctrine, which was designed to protect America’s foreign interests, brought us conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Engagements in Afghanistan have heated up recently while the U.S. is in the process of withdrawing from Iraq, a country that must not be forgotten. In order for true success to occur in Iraq, we must destroy the democratic government we helped create. Why? It is not yet time for democracy in Iraq. Not only should we dissolve this government, we should create at least three separate nation-states the Iraqi’s will rule themselves.
These nation-states will be divided based on faith. The Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds should each take control of regions of Iraq they already densely populate. This will allow for different factions of a religion to live on their own turf free from alien religious conflict. This type of system will strengthen a theocratic government and not one of democracy. Iraq should not have democracy however, because clearly these people are not ready for it.
There was a time when Western culture was ruled by religion. Long ago, monarchs ruled all of Europe and these monarchs gained legitimacy by claiming God chose their families to rule. Through reformation, revolution, renaissance, and enlightenment, Western society has grown to cherish the republican democracy that makes up the American government today.
Those who have visited the Middle East claim once you leave an airport or American military base, you step through a time portal that literally brings you back 1,000 years. This must mean that not only do they live primitively, but also they think primitively as well.
Religion played a much larger role in the government and culture of Europe in 1000 A.D. and this is where the Middle East is now. Islamic Jihad can be drawn parallel to Christian crusades, all of which was justified by religion. Let the Muslim nation experience the same reformation, revolution, renaissance and enlightenment the Christian nation and Western world has witnessed.
Yes, under this plan it may take 500 to 1,000 years for the Middle East to reach where the Western world is now but it will have one important benefit: America and The United Nation will no
longer be able to meddle and interfere with Iraqi independence and
freedom.
Operation Iraqi Freedom cannot truly be completed if we do not let the people of Iraq make decisions for themselves. Once the people of Iraq and the Muslim nation can put their religious differences aside, they will start working together as a people and reunite. With the help of the state, industry will thrive. Tolerance of other cultures and people will grow and foster freedom.
There is a natural progression in the relationship between the people and the government, which we should also let Iraq follow in its own time. Until they reach democracy, let them take their own path. Saddam Hussein was able to keep Iraq together by ruling with an iron fist. Either the U.S. can rule with this same fist or let the people of Iraq divide into nations or establish a government as they see fit.
The U.S. must remain an example, but not a fighter. It is time to free Iraq by dividing it and withdrawing our forces like the Puritans, we can establish ourselves as a beacon on a hill for the entire world to see. As Ron Paul said, ‘Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through the force of arms.’
Reach columnist Brad Omland at Brad.Omland@usd.edu.
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