Regime change changed

Independents speak out on democracy and Francis Fukuyama's about -face

Transmission date 16 April 2006 Radio Netherlands Andy Clark

US attempts to enforce democracy in Iraq have created a 'shambles'"The original theory was that you would have a successful transition toa Western style democracy in Iraq and that this would serve as a demonstration, a kind of model, for the rest of the Middle East. I thinkthat schedule has been completely disrupted, anti-regime people in Iranand Syria now say when they look at Iraq, 'if that's what democracy meanswe'd rather stick with what we know,'" Francis Fukuyama.This week Amsterdam Forum is joined by one of the world's leading intellectuals.He is the American political scientist and author Francis Fukuyama.....

COMMENTS:Evert C. Weidner, Lansdale, Pa., USA: "A democracy happens from thebottom up or from the inside out, not from the outside in."

Roberto C. Alvarez-Galloso, Miami Florida: "What right do Republicans and Democrats have in imposing democracy when alternative parties such as Libertarians, Greens, and Independents are marginalized, ridiculed, repressed [by archaic election laws]. With what authority do theRepublicans and Democrats have in imposing democracy in the Middle East when theyare supporting dictatorships in the American Continent such as Cuba,Venezuela and the USA?"

Carlos Borjal, Chicago, Illinois, USA: "No Sir, democracy cannot beshoved down somebody else's throat and expect people to swallow it. That's something that the U.S. policy makers in Washington do not understand.With all the bright people in government service I'm amazed they just don'tget it. They say it's a God given right but it never was, it's a big lie. Powerful nations use the same argument to promote their commercial interests. This whole world is all about economics, power, and money.The word 'democracy' had been used too many times by too many people to takethe high moral ground, it has lost its true meaning."....