From Dr. Richard Swier, a friend and fellow patriot recently wrote on what democracy means in the Middle East. Here is his take on Egypt and the new order.
Confusing Democracy with Elections in the Middle East By Dr. Richard Swier
I keep reading report after report about the so called "populist movements" taking place across the Middle East. The media, government officials and pundits all liken this change as good. They believe there is a wave of democracy sweeping across an area ruled by despots, kings and dictators. I believe there is great room for pause as we see government after government toppled by those in the streets.
The key question is: What form of government will replace them?
History tells us that whenever there is a toppling of government the people in the streets demand a restoration of order. When that happens the most powerful forces tend to take control (e.g. a military junta, another dictator or totalitarian regime). As we know history always repeats itself and it is in the Middle East. The problem is we are not and will not see constitutional republics spring up across the Middle East. Why not? Religion and culture.
The religion and cultures in the Islamic civilization are the opposite of and are in perpetual conflict with those in Western civilization. As I said in my column "Islam Rising", I believe we are witnessing the beginnings of a much more militant and radical civilizational Islam. Those replacing existing governments will be just as totalitarian, just as despotic and just as ruthless. What will be the difference? The new government will be even more Islamic.
Samuel A. Huntington, author of The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, said, "Western nations will lose predominance if they fail to recognize the irreconcilable nature of cultural tensions." The new states that will emerge in the
Middle East will increase, not decrease, cultural tensions with the West.
Islam is becoming more modern, more militant, more anti-West, and more dangerous.
As the Islamic civilization has modernized it is becoming more religiously fundamental and has rejected the Western ideals of democracy, free markets, civil rights, the rule of law, decentralized government, the prohibiting of a state religion and freedom of worship.
All civilizations are not created equal, all civilizations are not good and all civilizations are not our friends. It is Islam against the West.
I believe it is extremely dangerous to confuse democracy with elections in the Middle East. Examples abound: Hamas won an election in Gaza but continues to suppress its own people and attack Israel and the West; Hezbollah won an election in Lebanon but continues its war like call for the destruction of Israel and the West; elections are held in Iran yet the ruling government cracks down on its citizens and rejects all overtures by the West to stop its nuclear program, while calling for the 12th Imam to return and conquer the world. Even Iraq is an Islamic state. Afghanistan, well need I say more?
Democracy in Islam has a much different meaning than it does in the United States or France or Germany. What is happening today does not bode well for the West. Time to smell the coming tyranny and stop it in its tracks. The expected control of the Egyptian government by the Muslim Brotherhood in September elections must be prevented at all costs. The United States and the West must realize this and take the necessary action to support the Egyptian Army. To do otherwise will lead in six months to a Muslim Brotherhood majority government controlling the second largest military in the Middle East.
I believe we will see a more aggressive and militant Islam demanding more ever more concessions from the West and giving less in return. Tolerance in Islam is a one way street.
I see Islam rising, bad news for us all. To comment on this column please CLICK HERE.
Confusing Democracy with Elections in the Middle East By Dr. Richard Swier
I keep reading report after report about the so called "populist movements" taking place across the Middle East. The media, government officials and pundits all liken this change as good. They believe there is a wave of democracy sweeping across an area ruled by despots, kings and dictators. I believe there is great room for pause as we see government after government toppled by those in the streets.
The key question is: What form of government will replace them?
History tells us that whenever there is a toppling of government the people in the streets demand a restoration of order. When that happens the most powerful forces tend to take control (e.g. a military junta, another dictator or totalitarian regime). As we know history always repeats itself and it is in the Middle East. The problem is we are not and will not see constitutional republics spring up across the Middle East. Why not? Religion and culture.
The religion and cultures in the Islamic civilization are the opposite of and are in perpetual conflict with those in Western civilization. As I said in my column "Islam Rising", I believe we are witnessing the beginnings of a much more militant and radical civilizational Islam. Those replacing existing governments will be just as totalitarian, just as despotic and just as ruthless. What will be the difference? The new government will be even more Islamic.
Samuel A. Huntington, author of The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, said, "Western nations will lose predominance if they fail to recognize the irreconcilable nature of cultural tensions." The new states that will emerge in the
Middle East will increase, not decrease, cultural tensions with the West.
Islam is becoming more modern, more militant, more anti-West, and more dangerous.
As the Islamic civilization has modernized it is becoming more religiously fundamental and has rejected the Western ideals of democracy, free markets, civil rights, the rule of law, decentralized government, the prohibiting of a state religion and freedom of worship.
All civilizations are not created equal, all civilizations are not good and all civilizations are not our friends. It is Islam against the West.
I believe it is extremely dangerous to confuse democracy with elections in the Middle East. Examples abound: Hamas won an election in Gaza but continues to suppress its own people and attack Israel and the West; Hezbollah won an election in Lebanon but continues its war like call for the destruction of Israel and the West; elections are held in Iran yet the ruling government cracks down on its citizens and rejects all overtures by the West to stop its nuclear program, while calling for the 12th Imam to return and conquer the world. Even Iraq is an Islamic state. Afghanistan, well need I say more?
Democracy in Islam has a much different meaning than it does in the United States or France or Germany. What is happening today does not bode well for the West. Time to smell the coming tyranny and stop it in its tracks. The expected control of the Egyptian government by the Muslim Brotherhood in September elections must be prevented at all costs. The United States and the West must realize this and take the necessary action to support the Egyptian Army. To do otherwise will lead in six months to a Muslim Brotherhood majority government controlling the second largest military in the Middle East.
I believe we will see a more aggressive and militant Islam demanding more ever more concessions from the West and giving less in return. Tolerance in Islam is a one way street.
I see Islam rising, bad news for us all. To comment on this column please CLICK HERE.
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