I'm sure this has been covered ad nauseum, but while on the crapper I was thinking about what it is about our nation and others that manage to keep from having dictators.
This isn't necessarily about Iraq, but the war has gotten me thinking about it... Each nation will be different, of course. Each culture has unique requirements and will need unique solutions. The important thing is that the citizens of a given nation are given the opportunity to choose their government, and are comfortable with that government. Instead of regional governers, or a senate, they could use a group of tribal leaders.
To me, though, as long as religion is kept OUT of government (except as a personal guide to morality), will help keep that government from getting out of hand.
- Separation of church (uhhhh... mosque) and state. While religion has been getting a push in politics lately, keeping a secular government helps prevent religious zealots from using their religious beliefs as an excuse for outrageous acts. Theoretically, any religion is welcome in the US, as long as the religion does not directly threaten other citizens.
- Term limits. If you can only be in office for a few years, it's kinda difficult to build a government "cult of personality".
- Checks and balances. Making it so totally different sections of the government must validate actions by the rest of the government helps add a "shock absorber" effect to reactive politics. Also, having different parts of the government approve political appointees keeps down the empire building.
- Democracy. Ok, it's been argued that the US isn't a true democracy... However, the people DO have the last word. Grass roots efforts are showing results more and more.
This isn't necessarily about Iraq, but the war has gotten me thinking about it... Each nation will be different, of course. Each culture has unique requirements and will need unique solutions. The important thing is that the citizens of a given nation are given the opportunity to choose their government, and are comfortable with that government. Instead of regional governers, or a senate, they could use a group of tribal leaders.
To me, though, as long as religion is kept OUT of government (except as a personal guide to morality), will help keep that government from getting out of hand.
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