America and Democratic Rule - Essay Example

America and democratic rule the world-over al Affiliation) The promotion to the spread of democratic rule appeared poised to replace containment as a US foreign policy guiding principle after the end of the cold war. The idea that democratization could become the next mission for America was embraced by commentators, scholars, and policy makers. However, many critics in recent years have had an argument that this idea may be harmful and unwise (Pollack, 2011). On this subject matter, this paper holds on the argument that The United States should press on with the spread of democratic rule in other countries, and refute the arguments made against this move. This paper looks at the importance of democratic rule, especially liberal democracy, and how it is important to the citizens of new democracies, how it serves US interests, and how it promotes international peace. Besides this, it also looks at the benefits of democratic rule of other countries to America. The paper gives a line of thought of why America should continue to press for the democratic rule on other countries and how this impacts not only America, but also the citizens of the democracies and how they will benefit, and the impact on the larger international system. Introduction Democracy is a system of government where people are vested either with power to rule directly or through representatives who are freely elected. In other words, no particular person can choose himself or invest power to him to rule in a system. Therefore, in democracy, no one can give himself unlimited and unconditional power. In this kind of system, the rulers are made accountable of every action they take in public realm, by the citizens, who act indirectly through cooperation and competition of their elected representatives (Pollack, 2011). Democratic rule therefore is the system of leadership in which democracy is allowed to take control. The citizens decide what is best for their country. Liberalism on the other hand is a philosophy of politics based on the individual freedom principle. It calls for guarantees of the individual rights and freedoms. Background Governmental and non-governmental actors in North Africa and the Middle East are aimed at and encouraged by the American Democracy Promotion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to pursue political reforms, which will ultimately lead to democratic rule. These areas are of great interests to the US, though they are still under non-democratic and authoritarian rule, with exceptions of a few countries. MENA has been the subject of democracy promotion and increasing the interest part of the US government, to be specific, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, where many could view the democratic transition as being important to international security and regional stability (Pollack, 2011). Benefits of the spread of democratic rule It is generally assumed by many Americans that the spread of democracy will be beneficial since democracy is a good thing. The virtues of democracy are rarely fully considered and enumerated since they are taken for granted. It is very important not to misrepresent or overstate the democratization since it is not an alloyed good. Nevertheless, there are many important benefits of the spread of democracy in improving citizen lives, advance in US national interests, and international peace promotion (Pollack, 2011). The implementation of democratic rule is good for the benefits of the citizens of the new democracies. It is evident that under democratic rule, people live better lives since all decisions of the democracies are made by the citizens themselves. They have a chance to decide what they want for themselves. They are able to enjoy political stability, greater individual liberty, enhanced quality life, freedom from violence by the government, and lower famine risk. US should therefore press for democratic rule for other countries to achieve these benefits as first; they have a feeling of humanity towards other human beings who may not be American citizens. The borders of United States do not stop humanity. The competitive nature of international systems is the factors that limit the bonds and obligations of common humanity. When the use of force prevails in the world, a foreign policy cannot be pursued by any government based on altruism. To add on this, promotion of the spread of liberty is of particular interest to America. The foundation of United States is on the principle of securing liberty for the citizens. Third, United States cannot cover itself from the world and therefore, the improvement of other individual lives in other countries is a concern to them. The first contribution of democracy to the citizens is that it leads to liberty, which is good for the citizens. This involves the promotion of individual liberty, which also puts into inclusion the freedom of conscience, expression, and ownership of property. One inherent feature of democratic politics is the respect for liberty of individuals. A political process, which is democratic, basing on the electoral competition, is dependent on the freedom of expression, especially of the political views, and the freedom of making the electoral decisions. The second contribution of democracy to the citizens is that violence is less likely to be used by liberal democracies against their own people. There is less likelihood of there being civil unrest or violence deaths caused by the government. Many studies have been carried out to prove this fact. The third reason is that due to democratic rule, the democracies enjoy great prosperity in terms of economic performance. Beside this, democracies will not suffer from food insecurity and famines. This is because governments are accountable in democratic rule, and free press helps in providing warnings to the government on the effects of natural catastrophes, which may cause famine (Pollack, 2011). The US should press for democratic rule for other countries because it is also good for international systems. This is because likelihood for wars is reduced. It is not possible for democracies to wage war on other democracies. The number of potential conflicts which might end up in war will keep on reducing as the number of democracies continues growing in the international system. Even though the war might persist between the non-democrats and the democrats, in the long run, an international system made up of democracies will be very peaceful. Explanations available for absence of wars among democracies are that shared norms makes the democracies not to fight, and the institutional constraints make it hard for one democracy to fight another (Pollack, 2011). Another reason for America pushing for democratic rule in other countries is that the spread of democracy is good for them. A peaceful international system is important for United States, and this can be attained through democratization. Through democracy, the national interests of the US are advanced directly since terror attacks and wars against US will not be launched by democracies, they will tend to form allies with the US and there will be no refugees to seek asylum in US. To add on this, the American deals are likely to flourish when they are adopted by others. The spread of international democracy will increase the psychology of sense of the Americans on wellbeing about their democratic institutions. The Americans will also have a better economic partnership with the democracies. The democracies are likely to adopt market economies, and therefore they will have open economies, which are more prosperous (Pollack, 2011). Conclusion In the conclusion, it is important for the United States to move ahead with their advocating for democratic rule in other countries. This is very important, as it has been seen in many areas. Various advantages of this move have been highlighted and discussed in this paper including the advantages on the citizens of the democracies, which are the use of liberty, prevention of violence, enhancement of the economic performance and prevention of famine. Another advantage of this move that has been discussed is on the international system where it causes international peace. This paper also looks at how democracy of other nations is good for the United States, and has touched on the areas including prevention of war with other countries, prevention of terrorism against United States, the reduction of the number of refugees, formation of allies with the democracies, the flourishing of American ideals when others adopt them, and the formation of better economic partners. The issues highlighted above support the United States move of pressing for democratic rule in other countries, and are reasons enough to ensure that they continue with their process. Therefore, the promotion to the spread of democratic rule appeared poised to replace containment as a US foreign policy guiding principle after the end of the cold war. The idea that democratization could become the next mission for America was embraced by commentators, scholars, and policy makers. However, many critics in recent years have had an argument that this idea may be harmful and unwise. On this subject matter, this paper holds on the argument that The United States should press on with the spread of democratic rule in other countries, and refute the arguments made against this move Reference Pollack, K. M. (2011). The Arab awakening America and the transformation of the Middle East. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution. Read More