Do you consider Israel to be the only democracy in the Middle East?

[Mill]

I was listening to Sirius, and one of their DJs remarked that: "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East." Lebanon was one democracy that I instantly thought of, but some people say they aren't a true democracy. What is YOUR personal opinion? Care to list any other than Lebanon?

 

[FoBoT]

isn't lebanon's govt. a puppet for syria?

how about egypt? i thought they were doing pretty good

turkey?

 

[her209]

Palestine?

 

[lyssword]

Turkey, Egypt (? not sure) and umm.. yeah..

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: her209
Palestine?

not so much , i don't think, terrorists control thier govt. ? i think

 

[ed21x]

Israel is the only one that has a true democracy in place, however UAE, Qatar both have really chill governments that are good at what they are doing without laying the smackdown on all opposition.

 

[glenn1]

None are democratic in the western, classical liberal sense of the word. Sure, most Arab nations make a big show out of elections and utilize populist rhetoric, but none are completely accountable to the populace which is the touchstone of a democratic nation.

 

[George P Burdell]

This question is highly YMMV, as each person's interpretation of democracy can vary. For example, Lil' Kim's Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

 

[TehMac]

Well they're the only one living to the standards of Civilization, besides Turkey and hopefully the new Iraq, unless its split in 3 because the savages can't get along.

 

[meltdown75]

Iraq... didn't your government just install a democratic system there?

 

[meltdown75]

*crickets*

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
*crickets*

*ribbet*

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: glenn1
None are democratic in the western, classical liberal sense of the word. Sure, most Arab nations make a big show out of elections and utilize populist rhetoric, but none are completely accountable to the populace which is the touchstone of a democratic nation.

I agree that they are typically illiberal democracies. However, most countries can't just transform into a liberal democracy over night -- at least not with more conservative and fascist Islamacists having currents of power.