Egyptian lesson: America an enemy of democracy | Hacker News Reader

Egyptian lesson: America an enemy of democracy

blogs.aljazeera.net

40 pointsgeorgecmu14 comments

The United States government (distinct from the population) supports Democracy and Freedom when those values align with our strategic interest. When they do not, we stop supporting them.

Everyone outside the US has known this for decades. It's only considered a controversial statement within the US.

[Edit] It should be noted that other states engage in the same amoral, strategic behavior. The reason the United States receives the lion share of the criticism is because as the leading Power (especially military power), it's actions on the world stage are far more consequential than any other.

Politics are tricky. Sometimes what's best for me is not best for you. I want all people to be free people, but not at the expense of my right to be a free person.

I imagine that America's position on Egypt like every other decision in foreign affairs is made asking "Does this help or hurt our position in the world?". Unfortunately many decisions have been made that help us in the short term (supporting dictators we influence) in spite of the long term drawbacks (we're supporting dictators).

Tricky stuff, and I wouldn't want to be the one putting my butt on the line to state America's opinion on a global matter.

Of course it is. But still, what we get out of this is a renewed awareness that things are so. Sometimes, after decades of speeches, we forget that US supported democracy because it was usually helped its political interest and not the other way around.

Unfortunately from what I read it seems the ones to get the message least are the ones who'd use it most: the ordinary American ballot caster.

How about: America a friend of the status quo.

'Why is it that the "international community" continues to do business with an Egyptian regime which has killed its citizens, attacked journalists, trampled on practically every single human right; and above all never contested a free election?'

See: Russia, China, etc.

I expect that under Nasser and then under Sadat before he opted for peace with Israel that the policies were generally more popular. But democratic?

America friend of the status quo?? Then why did USA actively overthrew almost all the DEMOCRATIC governments in south and central america in the 70's?

And by the way, so so so many countries are waaaay more democratic than USA.

America is not a single person. Most if not all of those who made the decisions in the 70s no longer have any power.

Individuals might not, but the ideology remains.

There's an argument that unpopular military rulers are beneficial to American foreign interests. Essentially, they are more reliant on US military aid (which boosts the Mil-Ind Complex) to ensure a continued hold on power. Any ruler who was actually popular with their own people would be less pliable.

Dear Egypt and others in the Middle East, Latin America, China, Tibet, and so on:

Sorry we aren't helping in your hour of need, but it turns out that we in the West don't export Democracy and Freedom, what we do is enjoy our Democracy and Freedom at the expense of your Dictatorships and Repression.

Is it really a zero-sum game?

Probably not, but if everyone plays like it is...

Nothing like a good ol' States bashing thread.

See: The comments already fermenting here so far.

It's almost like there's more than one person with an opinion on foreign policy in America!

as any other government America doesn't have friends or enemies, only interests

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