[Dean's World] Aziz P: God bless America

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Aziz P:
God bless America
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1163002849.shtml


   There's an excellent essay on TAP Online by Blake Hounshell that
   speaks of the need for a [1]return to pragmatic liberal
   interventionism as our foreign policy. In a nutshell, actively build
   and nurture the institutions of liberal society in the middle east and
   elsewhere, and democracy and liberty will surely follow as night
   follows day. That's the opposite of the democracy-as-panacea policy of
   the present Administration - one that is revealed as a lie when a
   legitimate but "unwanted" outcome of the democratic process is met
   with sanctions.

   The entire point of democracy is that the people's choice rules. And
   that we MUST respect that choice. Our failure to adhere to that
   principle of democracy abroad has made cynics worldwide of the
   essential principle that underlies democracy, and that is a genuine
   shame.

   Well, yesterday there was cause for the cynics to regain hope.

   Oh, the world! Look to america. For once again we have shown the world
   how it is done. We rose, and we voted, and we have turned the bums out
   the door. The people had their chance to pass judgement and pass it
   they surely did.

   Democracy works here because of our liberal society. It works because
   of liberal values. It works despite illiberal dirty tricks like
   robocalls and voter intimidation. It works because we have functioning
   liberal institutions and a free press. It works because we have free
   speech. It works because we have an independent and unintimidated
   judiciary. It works because we have checks and balances between the
   arms of government.

   All of these things that guarantee why our democracy works - all of
   them - have been severely threatened by the outgoing Republican
   majority. Not a conservative majority; an illiberal one. Good riddance
   to the illiberals, and a sincere welcome to all the conservatives who
   joined the Democratic Big Tent yesterday. The Democratic Party is big
   enough for liberals and conservatives alike - and hence, the
   Democratic party is now the guarantor of democracy.

   I for one hope the Conservatives who voted with the Democrats
   yesterday stay, and provide a critical check and balance within the
   tent, so that the Democrats also do not drift from their
   responsibility towards the nation and into the power-centric
   authoritarian, illiberal tendencies of the Republicans.

   As we look abroad, we must realize that democracy cannot lead, it must
   follow. Our own system here at home proves this essential truth. The
   Administration's concept of democracy is paternaliztic; it assumes
   that voters are children, that voting is a test of the electorate's
   maturity. It's not. It's a test of those who have governed, a
   referendum on those who would, ostensibly, rule. And yesterday the
   Republicans failed that test.

   All elections, all genuinely fair elections, must be viewed through
   that prism: elections are a referendum upon the government, not the
   governed. As the democratic party defines its own principles upon
   which to pursue foreign policy, it would do well to remember that, and
   to adhere to the principle that liberalism is the prerequisite for
   liberty.

   If you haven't read [2]the essay in TAP, please do so now. It applies
   to us at home as much as it does abroad. I also have some
   [3]additional commentary at Nation-Building blog.

     And where's the land like ours can brave The splendor of the day.
     And find no son of hers a slave? God bless America! God bless the
     land, the land beloved Forever and for aye! God bless the land that
     gave us birth. God bless America!

References

   1. http://dean2004.blogspot.com/2006/11/pragmatic-liberal-interventionism.html
   2. http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=12186
   3. http://dean2004.blogspot.com/2006/11/pragmatic-liberal-interventionism.html