Jim Hlavac
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Foreign Affairs
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We often hear that countries like Peru and Argentina and Thailand have
elections and thus they are Democracies. But are they? Do elections make
democracy? If all the elections do is put into power one sort of dictator or
another of what difference does the election make?
Using elections as a yard stick for democracy is wrong. It is surely a part,
but actually a rather small part. They aren't even real elections if there is no free
press, and no freedom of economy or religion. What difference does it make
that the Yugoslavs elected Slobodan Milosevic -- he was a dictator. He was
elected, therefore he is valid? It's a democracy? I think not.
But we here in America are lulled into the idea that elections make for
democracy. When often elections merely make it easier for despots to rule and
cause suffering.
elections and thus they are Democracies. But are they? Do elections make
democracy? If all the elections do is put into power one sort of dictator or
another of what difference does the election make?
Using elections as a yard stick for democracy is wrong. It is surely a part,
but actually a rather small part. They aren't even real elections if there is no free
press, and no freedom of economy or religion. What difference does it make
that the Yugoslavs elected Slobodan Milosevic -- he was a dictator. He was
elected, therefore he is valid? It's a democracy? I think not.
But we here in America are lulled into the idea that elections make for
democracy. When often elections merely make it easier for despots to rule and
cause suffering.