January 29, 2005

Democracy Isn't the End Game

All the happiness and joy in these pictures reminds me to remind you that today's elections in Iraq are only a means to an end. I'm not one of those types who sees democracy as the end state. The end state is a free Iraq. A free Iraq is one where property rights and civil rights are respected. A free Iraq is one where people can dream big dreams, contemplate new ideas, and act on them without fear of death of restriction by government agent. A free Iraq is one where angry people employ the power of the pen instead of the power of the bomb. Democracy and liberty don't necessarily have to coexist. Hong Kong under British is an example. In the U.S. democracy is tempered by a constitution that limits (albeit imperfectly) government. And as we've seen in the U.S. democracy can hamper liberty. Iraq's elections continue the process where a limited yet effective government comes into existence.