The United States and Its Policy of Promoting Democracy

The United States and Its Policy of Promoting Democracy Promoting democracy abroad has been one of the main elements of US foreign policy for decades. Some critics argue that it is harmful to promote democracy in countries without liberal values because it creates illiberal democracies, which pose grave threats to freedom. Others argue that the foreign policy of promoting democracy abroad fosters economic development in those places, reduces threats to the United Staes at home and creates partners for better economic trade and development.  There are  varying  degrees of democracies ranging from full to limited and even flawed. Democracies can also be authoritarian, meaning that people can vote but have little or no choice in what or whom they vote for. A Foreign Policy 101 Story When rebellion brought down the presidency of Mohammed Morsi in Egypt on July 3, 2013, the United States called for a quick return to order and democracy. Look at these statements from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney on July 8, 2013. During this transitional period, Egypts stability and democratic political order are at stake, and Egypt will not be able to emerge from this crisis unless its people come together to find a nonviolent and inclusive path forward. We remain actively engaged with all sides, and we are committed to supporting the Egyptian people as they seek to salvage their nations democracy. [W]e will work with the transitional Egyptian government to promote a quick and responsible return to a sustainable, democratically elected civilian government. We also call on all political parties and movements to remain engaged in dialogue, and to commit to participating in a political process to hasten the return of full authority to a democratically elected government. Democracy in US Foreign Policy Theres no mistaking that promotion of democracy is one of the cornerstones of American foreign policy. It hasnt always been that way. A democracy, of course, is a government which invests power in its citizens through the franchise, or the right to vote. Democracy comes from Ancient Greece and filtered to the West and the United States through such Enlightenment thinkers as Jean-Jaques Rousseau and John Locke. The United States is a democracy and a republic, meaning that the people speak through elected representatives. At its start, American democracy was not universal: Only white, adult (over 21), property-holding males could vote. The 14th, 15th, 19th  and 26th Amendmentsplus a variety of civil rights actsfinally made voting universal in the 20th century. For its first 150 years, the United States was concerned with its own domestic problemsconstitutional interpretation, states rights, slavery, expansionmore than it was with world affairs. Then the United States focused on pushing its way onto the world stage in an era of imperialism. But with World War I, the United States began moving in a different direction. Much of President Woodrow Wilsons proposal for a post-war Europethe Fourteen Pointsdealt with national self-determination. That meant imperial powers like France, Germany and Great Britain should divest themselves of their empires, and former colonies should form their own governments. Wilson intended for the United States to lead those newly independent nations into democracies, but Americans were of a different mind. After the carnage of the war, the public wanted only to retreat into isolationism and let Europe work out its own problems. After World War II, however, the United States could no longer retreat into isolationism. It actively promoted democracy, but that was often a hollow phrase that allowed the United States to counter Communism with compliant governments around the globe. Democracy promotion continued after the Cold War. President George W. Bush linked it to the post-9/11 invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. How Is Democracy Promoted? Of course, there are ways of promoting democracy other than warfare. The State Departments website says that it supports and promotes democracy in a variety of areas: Strengthening democratic institutionsSupporting civil societyEnhancing the rule of law and judicial independencePromoting political pluralism and free, fair electoral processesProtecting independent mediaPromoting Internet freedomPromoting human rights for all, including women The programs above are funded and administered through the State Department and USAID. Pros and Cons of Democracy Promotion Proponents of democracy promotion say that it creates stable environments, which in turn fosters strong economies. In theory, the stronger a nations economy and the more educated and empowered its citizenry, the less it needs foreign aid. So, democracy promotion and US foreign aid are creating strong nations around the globe. Opponents say that democracy promotion is just American imperialism by another name. It binds regional allies to the United States with foreign aid incentives, which the United States will withdraw if the country does not progress toward democracy. Those same opponents charge that you cannot force-feed democracy on the people of any nation. If the pursuit of democracy is not homegrown, then is it really democracy?

What is the significance of dr essays

What is the significance of dr essays What is the significance of dreams in Of Mice And Men The book Of Mice and Men was written by a man called Steinbeck. This novel deals with the plight of migrant labourers in California during the great depression, set around the 1930s after the great Wall Street crash. At that time morale and money was at an all time low. A lack of jobs forced men to travel to seek employment, causing familial divides and creating the itinerant workforce. Steinbeck not only wrote about what he knew, having been a ranch worker himself, he wrote about that which fascinated him. One of Steinbeck's favourite books was Le Morte d'Arthur, Sir Thomas Mallory's retelling of the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the King Arthur legends play a part in several of Steinbeck's works. One of those legends was Sir Galahad's search for the Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus was said to have drunk. Finding the Grail will cause all sins to be forgiven, according to the knights. Throughout literature, the Grail serves as a symbol of that which is sought but can never be possessed. Galahad was the only knight pure enough to find and touch the Grail, but once he touched it, he died and his spirit went to heaven. This novel concerns itself with many characters who search for their Holy Grail is never realised, and whose quests, like many of the Arthurian legends, are ruined by women. But what fascinated Steinbeck most was n ot simply the concept of the Holy Grail, but the idea that human nature allows us to hope for and believe in something so desperately despite knowing that it will never be achieved, something he termed as both the greatest human quality and the greatest curse. The focus of the book is on two random migrant workers, George and Lennie. These two characters are believed to represent the masses, they symbolise the new American worker. George is by necessity a rational realist ...

The Cowboy Phenomenon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Cowboy Phenomenon - Essay Example Finally, the cowboy is aggressive because nothing can stop him from achieving any goal he wishes to achieve (Ruud, Geoff & Hugo 156). â€Å"There are some things a man just can’t run away from† The first characteristic of the cowboy involves certain aspects of his lives that are mandatory. Consequently, the cowboy must perform these functions because he has no other options. The functions could even be dangerous to the cowboy’s existence. However, the cowboy performs the functions to satisfy significant expectations in his life. For example, in Johnny Guitar†, Johnny realizes that he is in love with Vienna. This love for Vienna enables the viewers to encounter the first cowboy characteristic of Johnny Guitar. This is because Johnny Guitar maintains Vienna’s company after the self-declared reformed. Guitar knows about Vienna’s possible involvement in the robbery because of criminal history, which Vienna already has. However, this does not stop Johnny Guitar from saving his love, Vienna. Johnny Guitar is aware that it is a great risk to save Vienna after her capture but the love he has inspires him (Ray). Consequently, Charles Cosby displays similar cowboy characteristics in â€Å"Cocaine Cowboys 2†. The only difference is that Cosby’s inspiration is the urge to be successful in the cocaine business, not love. Cosby has exemplary courage, which enables him to write letters to Blanco. Evidently, Griselda Blanco is a queen pin who most people fear. Therefore, Cosby’s decision to write the letter to Blanco is synonymous with the first characteristic of the cowboy. This is because Cosby dreams of also leading the cocaine business. Later he establishes the cocaine business and is a rich man because he was not afraid to approach the godmother (Corben & Perry). â€Å"A man ought to do what he thinks is right† The second characteristic of the cowboy encourages cowboys to do what they think is right rega rdless of other people’s views. Johnny Guitar helps Vienna out of the burning bar without considering if Vienna was right or wrong. Johnny Guitar believes that men ought to protect the respective women who they love. Therefore, he saves Vienna from all troubles that face her like when Emma convinces the men to kill Vienna. Similarly, Cosby engages in certain behavior that people would otherwise consider immoral. For example, he sells cocaine in the city without considering the dangers, which he poses to people. Cosby is equally aware of the consequences of the cocaine business. He risks serving jail time like Blanca or even facing more punishments that are serious. However, this knowledge does not stop Cosby from engaging in the dangerous drug business. His only concern is to be successful with the drugs, which he realizes when he owns the 40 Million-cocaine business (Ray). â€Å"If everything isn’t black and white, I say â€Å"why the hell not?† Finally, the c owboy is aggressive in everything he does because of what Johnny Guitar and Charles Cosby reveal in their respective situations. For instance, Johnny Guitar ensures that he saves Vienna when Emma suggests killing Vienna. It is among the most dangerous decisions he makes in the entire movie. This is because of Vienna’s past and the anger, which Emma and her gang have for Vienna. Obviously, Emma would also kill anyone who was on Vienna’s side. However, that could not prevent Johnny Guitar from facing the angry