By Joe English

This week’s topic:  Does the United States have an obligation to support pro-democracy movements in the Middle East?

As America’s nine-year engagement in Iraq finally ends, the United States has started re-examining its foreign policy.  In the past decade alone, it has engaged in three major armed conflicts, deposed leaders, “built” nations, and sacrificed thousands of American lives.  But does the United States still have an obligation to spread democracy across the globe?  At what point should we put our own domestic needs above foreign struggles for liberty?  Here are the key arguments for the issue:

Yes, the US has an obligation to support pro-democracy movements:

1. As the world’s sole super-power, we have an obligation to promote human rights and liberty. According to the Global Issues Organization in 2011, the United States spends more on its military than the next 20 nations combined.  So while supporting democracy may cost money and American lives, we have the resources—and therefore the obligation—to do so.
2. If we are aware that human rights violations are occurring, it would be irresponsible for us to let them continue.  For example, Libyan dictator Muammar  Qaddafi violently suppressed opposing religious groups, harbored terrorists, and used threats, torture, and murder to crush dissent.  If the US had not stepped in to support a fledgling movement against the dictator this summer, we would be guilty through willful inaction.
3. In the past, the United States needed foreign assistance to establish our own democratic system.  During the Revolution, France aided our fight for democracy, establishing one of the most stable governments in the world.  We are obligated to pass on the favor and assist other new nations in their efforts.
4. It is in the best interest of the US to aid democratic movements in the Middle East.  If we help create free, stable governments, then they will become favorable partners for trade and military alliances in the future.  Additionally, anti-American groups will lose legitimacy if we send aid to the citizens they are trying to recruit.

No, the US does not have an obligation to support pro-democracy movements:

1. A democracy may not be the most suitable form of government for every culture.  Just because democracy works for the United States does not mean it will work in every other country. In Afghanistan, tribal rule was the dominant form of government for thousands of years.  Their recent “democratic” government has spread corruption, increased sectarian violence, and given rise to terrorist groups that weren’t nearly as active prior to US intervention.  This implies that democracies don’t always increase equality and stability.
2. The pro-democracy advocates that we aid may not be representative of a country’s entire population. Therefore, we may not be promoting the sentiments of the majority—an undemocratic ideal.  Further, if the majority of a country’s citizens are opposed to democracy, a stable democratic government will be unable to thrive without constant US support.
3. We need to focus on ourselves before we sacrifice  American money and lives to stabilize nations halfway across the globe.  Currently, the US is plagued by a floundering economy, political gridlock, deteriorating infrastructure, and an outdated educational model, among other issues. We need to focus our attention on fixing American problems before we get distracted by another war.  How can we tell other countries how to govern before we get our own act together?
4. Sending aid to pro-democracy supporters in the Middle East sets a dangerous precedent.  If we spend money building governments in the Middle East, the US should aid democratic factions in other areas of the world as well.  It would be unfair for us to help certain nations now while ignoring others in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, etc.  But supporting all pro-democratic movements will commit us to incalculable economic and military expenses we simply cannot afford.

What do you think about the United States’ obligation to support pro-democracy movements in the Middle East?  Leave a comment below advocating your position on the issue.