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True democracy needs to challenge Islam!
In the past America, the United Kingdom, and other Western democratic
nations could blame the Cold War on supporting despots like Suharto or
despotic nations like Saudi Arabia. Yet after the demise of the
Cold War, then this no longer applies and democracy "in your own
country" is not good enough.
For what is the point of America being democratic, when it supports
Saudi Arabia and other non-democratic nations? Are we really
saying that people in nations like Iran and Saudi Arabia, and countless
others, do not deserve the same principals we cherish and protect?
If so, what does this make us? Of course it makes us hypocrites!
The "New World Order" was meant to celebrate the defeat of
communism and the victory of democracy. Yet it is apparent that
the "New World Order" never even started, and instead we have
capitalist nations vying for economic contracts in nations like China,
Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and many other despotic nations. So
what happened to the "New World Order?"
In truth, it never existed, and people who reside in despotic
nations have been left to "rot and suffer alone." Yet at
least in nations like China changes are taking place because of internal
demands, and despite this nation being far from perfect, it is at least
starting to open up and the Communist Party is not the party of Mao.
Yet if you look at the global arena, it is clear that the Islamic world
and Islamic radicals are intent on keeping democracy out. From Buddhists
in Bangladesh, to Christians and Animists in Sudan, to Ahmadis in
Pakistan; the constant theme is persecution and poverty. And the
forgotten suffering of Muslim women continues and the same applies to
liberals who suffer persecution or the death penalty in the case of
Iran.
So why were women deemed to be persecuted in Afghanistan and not in
Saudi Arabia? Why are honor killings allowed in the 21st
century? Why is it allowed in Pakistan to put women in prison for
being raped due to four men not seeing this crime? These questions
are endless, and it means that America merely used women in Afghanistan
for propaganda purposes.
For the same America supports Saudi Arabia and in this land Saudi women
are not allowed to talk openly and segregation of the sexes applies to
many aspects of Saudi male dominated society. At the same time
this nation sponsors radical Islam throughout the world and in
Saudi Arabia all converts from Islam are killed.
Therefore, shouldn't this shame democratic nations? For why is it
correct to have democratic freedoms in Western societies and gender
equality in Western law, when this criteria is not applied to other
nations? Is this really what democracy means in America, the
United Kingdom, and other nations?
The answer at the moment to this is cleary "yes." And I
am ashamed of such blatant "double standards" and surely human
rights must be a universal right. What makes the situation even
worse, is that Western trade in nations like Saudi Arabia is vital
for their economy and Western nations do have economic and political
leverages at their disposal.
For example nations who welcome democracy, gender equality, religious
freedom, and so on, should be brought into economic blocs and trade
should be focused on these nations. In time both economic and
political incentives will encourage greater democratization and this
will help internal democratic movements or mere demands for greater
human rights.
Of course I am not stating that this policy will work in every nation,
or that it will eradicate all global problems in the world. Yet a
"first step" needs to be taken and it is clear that this
"step" must focus on the Islamic world in the main and other
nations like North Korea.
This may seem idealistic, and of course much research must be done to
implement global policies with regards to economic blocs like
the European Union and North American Free Trade Agreement, and other
important institutions, like the International Monetary Fund. Yet
policies of greater democratization needs to be implemented and a
"New World Order" needs to begin.
Look at the consequences if this is not implemented. This applies
to massive poverty, gender persecution, religious persecution,
migration, civil wars, regional conflicts, terrorism, and
countless other negative problems which threaten continuing upheaval. Also,
this upheaval does not only apply to far away lands, but to all
nations, for September 11 proves that world problems are indeed great.
More important, isn't democracy hollow if it only applies to
internal democracy? For why should children, women, religious
minorities, and so on, continue to suffer due to Western nations
"turning a blind eye?" Surely democracy and universal
human rights are more important than trade? So let us hope that
political leaders will understand the need to change direction.
If not, then it is essential for voices "crying to be heard in
nations like Iran" are met with genuine concerns in the West and
not based on an economic agenda. If this means that lay
people have to call for these demands, then get writing or
demonstrating. For "silence" kills and allows
persecution to continue.
The world now needs a "New World Order" based on democracy,
liberty, freedom, religious freedom, gender equality, and so on.
For don't our fellow humans suffering in lands like Iran and Saudi
Arabia deserve our attention? And isn't democracy tainted when
democratic nations openly trade with Saudi Arabia and countless other
despotic nations?
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