At The Point of a Bayonet

[Assur]

Democracy has to grow from within.

Occhi

My first posting was unduly harsh, as extenuating circumstances I can only plead that I posted at am 7.00 local time.

On the other point I agree with you, a viable democracy can only exist if it is accepted by the population as legitimate. As regards Iraq, and democracy, at the moment I see no solution that will have a benificial outcome. The "best" thing would be perhaps be a Shi'ite dictator who restored order and got the infrastructure working. Then in a few generations they could start developing a democracy which functions in accordance with the cultural and religious norms. 2050 could turn out to be interesting<_<