http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2010-03-18T00:18:19+00:00
Thinking Outside the Box:

Every year, the UN hosts a meeting on Global Mental Health.

Delegates, IO's and NGOs attend and expound on the latest trends (depression will top the charts by 2050), the need for care and stigma reduction, etc. One topic, however, does not come up. It is the fact that many of the world's most repressive leaders have undiagnosed and untreated mental disorders, ie, Delusions of Grandeur, Paranoid ideation, ego-mania, impulse control disorders....these are serious issues in the life of any individual. When a world leader is afflicted, it affects the lives of millions.

Think about it. Treat a few, help millions.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 22, 2009
It would be nice if we had a debate blog: I hate to get goated into this but ERIC:

Oh wait while I repair my left wing so I can fly over all the real problems with your statements Eric.

A poor guy living on the streets is given a hundred dollar bill by a crack dealer; does that make him a hero also?

We are Democratic Republic premised on capitalism, not socialism -- and it's always been that way from day one. We have slipped and controls are now being implemented to correct this, but we cannot keep giving away what we do not have.

Russia has already had meetings with the big 10 and did not include the U.S. We were considered as a non entity on the world stage, claiming by Russia, that the U.S. cannot back up its money. What came of the two meetings ended up with the European Union asking Russia to join and back the Euro dollar. They would provide full support behind Russia. Italy, that long time American buddy, was the biggest ally of this hopeful transaction as well as France and Germany. What is the evil they see in Russia? They are democracies are they not? Russia will not join because it has nothing to gain. It has more power from the outside BECAUSE IT IS SOLIVENT -- what about that don't you understand? You have everyone from Sweden to Algeria, who just purchased 8.2 billion in Military hardware from Russia panting at their door step. They are going to them, not vice versa Eric -- and that my friend is POWER! They don't even have to fire a bullet -- and we are supposed to be the Capitalist nation, not the military might nation.

1. Russia is now the number 2 owner of known oil reserves.
2. Russia has always been the number 1 holder, and controller of platinum reserves.
3. Russia has always been the number 2 to 4 holder of known gold reserves in the world.
4. Russia can provide WORK and INDUSTRY and funds, including a steel mill they were going to put in Ohio at one time which would employ some 2 thousand people, foreseeing the US as a main auto builder to anyone right now. That is real power, real power that has backing.
5. Ore from iron and aluminum are abundant�just read up on their natural resources.

Russia not a Super Power Eric? In reality, they are the only power who can back up their holdings as the only banks to fail were the independent ones. For the United States to crash the entire economic system to stymie an economic Fleche shows weakness, not power. It exhibits we are inept, unprepared and uncaring of long term carnage to our general population by putting us all at economic pearl. A sacrifice of our entire population's middle class does not make us a Hero.

If we keep printing money we cannot back up, we are no longer a Capitalist country. If our people do not have work, they do not have any dreams beyond existence. What so heroic about that? Look where Russia was even a decade ago, or two, now look where we are...who cares what they give or don't. They have a much more solid foundation and have the ability to provide.

A poor guy living on the streets is given a hundred dollar bill by a crack dealer; does that make him a hero also? In my mind, he is still a drug dealer creating more problems than he solved with the money he gave away.

By the way:

Why do we not make Pakistan give a fair share of the funding -3 billion- to the people first before military hardware? ...oh that's right, they cannot account for most of the monies from the past...just like Iraq initially and the tens of millions missing from Afghanistan. Why should American Citizen provide anything; especially, when we have already have given so much? It is not the Governments money, it is the Peoples money right?

WE need to be realistic for the future of democracy, not everyone lives in the Cinderella world of Washington. Just wearing your hat well is not in the larger picture of other nations who do not play the same way.

I love this country, but our foundation needs shoring up on reality, not the false soil of decades of poor stewardship...and what we provide externally cannot be maintained while our own suffer. The wait to see reactionary response from the International court may not be in our benefit at this juncture.

Our Government needs to live life like it wants its citizens too, with what it has. Provide us with more, so others can have more -- not vice versa under false euphemisms of National Security.

You promote Democracy by example from within...it is not just a word.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 22, 2009
I notice that the topics on DIPNOTE have gone soft and fluffy, warm and fuzzy, rather metaphysical. Is something going on behind the scenes? or is this the new face of DIPNOTE?

I have feeling Israel may hit Natanz and Busher afterall.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Thu May 21, 2009
QUOTE:I'd say you can be the big kid on the block, but if you feed the neighborhood,..that's being a hero. Does tend to make nations popular, as well. END QUOTE

Be Realistic and I said: Methodology, but it does go beyond that: Russia does not enter a country and try to change anything in business. They study culture and work with it, not against it..."You have to get your foot in the door first..."}

Every great disaster folks turn to America for aid Joe, and if that ain't real, what is?

Got a dictator you want gone? "We can do that next Tuesday and it will only cost you 20 billion"....that's power according to one former pentagon strategist.

That too is realistic.

Got a tsunami? We'll send all the aid needed to cope with that.

Power is all in what we do with it...and that's a fact.

To be or not to be free...and ethical in the methodology...is more important than the details of the "How" in determining the outcome. Because the mindset involved determines the "how" to begin with.

Russia has a choice. It can choose a reputation of exporting food, or bullets.

I wonder how Russia sees itself being as a "superpower"?

Something to ponder while we seek mutual disarmarment, I should think.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Thu May 21, 2009
no comment]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Thu May 21, 2009
Hello,

I note that Secretary Clinton has given us a way to help Pakastanis' using a donation process over the internet.

I would like to hear responses to a suggestion that I would like to make to the Secretary about how to use the internet to promote democracy and peaceful ideals to repressive regimes:

Will the State Department provide U.S. citizens with the contact information for influential members and ordinary citizens of some of these countries so that we may directly contact these people and tell them of our love for freedom, democracy, peace, and let them know that we want to share those things with them while respecting and integrating their cultures and values. I think this would go a long way to getting to peace.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Thu May 21, 2009
QUOTE:I'd say you can be the big kid on the block, but if you feed the neighborhood,..that's being a hero. Does tend to make nations popular, as well. END QUOTE

Be Realistic and I said: Methodology, but it does go beyond that: Russia does not enter a country and try to change anything in business. They study culture and work with it, not against it..."You have to get your foot in the door first..."

On that quote:
You can't eat Freedom....and any country will keep its hand out if you keep filling it. If they were our friends, then why are they not fiscally honoring American companies? Where is your Popularity premised? MONEY, we are losing an overall economic war and it is a war. Popularity is what you try to obtain in High School and what is the outcome of that? Not respect.

HERO: The VA hospitals are full of heroes who don't even have a home to go back to. Over 1 million Americans WHO WORKED, PAID TAXS and SERVED THEIR COUNTRIES have been put out of their homes...BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB.. A hero doesn't let his people starve or lose their homes or pass laws which promote greed at the expense of the poor. Where are our heroes? When did democracy mean having the best security was by entering the Military to eat? Sounds more like a third world country...WHERE IS OUR EXAMPLE? These are facts which are found in editorials worldwide on America?They don't talk about Popularity. WE need to set the example again and that is reflected in our People, not simply words of hope.

We show by EXAMPLE: and we are shoring up our economic system and hopefully promoting manufacturing back in America. Gates is on target about our National Security here at home... so there is a base if we give it time, but:

Its simple economics and we cannot keep printing money we cannot back up. Right now over 100 countries would starve if it was not for the US; but the reality is: we cannot keep doing this forever without some economic revitalization to the Home front first...not last...countries will keep taking our help, but we should have something in return...

Without America, there will be no democracy, I agree there 100 percent!!! Who says the rest of the world will let us keep printing money and we cannot keep consuming if we have no jobs to pay for consumption...can we?

Our example needs to be IN HOUSE FIRST and make it profitable for corporations to keep a fair share of work here in America...people world wide need to see that our Government cares about its own people first or there is no credibility to separation of Corporate greed and our Government. That is a reality which Washington seldom seems to see past due to the nature of its operations.

People are loyal in a true sense when they Respect another, not becasue they are popular...and loyality extends to fiscal responsibility.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Thu May 21, 2009
In tribute to one of America's most effective good will Ambassadors:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8060619.stm

The American actor Wayne Allwine, who was the voice of Mickey Mouse for 32 years has died at the age of 62.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Wed May 20, 2009
Economic sanctions, the more comprehensive the better--as we learned conclusively in the case of South Africa. I understand that the Chevron Corp. is helping to keep the Burmese junta in power with enormous revenues from a natural gas pipeline, though through clever accounting tricks, the relationship is not obvious. Chevron ought to be stopped by sanctions, along with any other companies that profit from this murderous regime.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Wed May 20, 2009
by the means of sathya, dharma and ahimsa]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Wed May 20, 2009
Some op-ed the other day was asking whether Russia was on the road to "Superpower" status....

I'd say you can be the big kid on the block, but if you feed the neighborhood,..that's being a hero. Does tend to make nations popular, as well.

Power is all in what Russia does with it.

So's freedom.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Tue May 19, 2009
Russia has done the most wonderful job in reinstituting its power and respect by development from within and respect from the outside to foreign nations.

While their objective may not promote a democratic ideology, the methodology is without doubt the most successful in recent history short of our success in South America.

We have given many of our past manufacturing and service business to countries that now purchase their military hardware, steel, aluminum and nuclear energy plants from Russia. India, China (initially), Iraq, Peru, Bolivia, Italy, France, Germany and now Japan, who have all benefited from the United States of Americas charity as well as industry which exist only because of our freedoms, all render their fiscal loyalty to Russia and China. WHY?

When you answer that, you will have your answer! "You must first adapt to prevail."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Tue May 19, 2009
As other people have mentioned, each situation is different. Nevertheless, there are basic principles that cannot be neglected or abrogated when promoting democracy anywhere. The Oxford English Dictionary defines "democracy" as a "Government by the people -- denoting a social state in which all have equal rights, without hereditary or arbitrary differences of rank or privilege." If this definition can be agreed on, then supporting two concepts "Human Rights and the rule of law" are the most effective way to promote democracy within repressive regimes, including Burma.

Supporting the first concept means that the U.S. and the international community needs to universally support basic Human Rights (e.g. Universal Declaration of Human Rights) first, last and always. The principles of Human Rights are rooted in their daily application, not in just wars that are an anomaly. In other words, the State Department should concern itself with unequivocally promoting Human Rights before concentrating on every possible Human Rights contingency.

The second aspect in promoting democracy is to universally up hold and follow the rule-of-law. By this universality, I mean that the U.S. needs to support the fair application of the rule-of-law, which includes all parties being equally subjected to all laws. This can only been accomplished if international law (e.g. Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Geneva Conventions of 1949) and the promotion of domestic legal systems are widely viewed as legitimate and accessible. The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent policies enacted under occupation -- regardless of one's personal opinion -- treated the rule-of-law as a guideline to possibly consider, not as a binding requirement (for example, see Executive Order 13303 of May 2003 and Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 48 of December 2003).

Promoting democracy within repressive regimes is not a conundrum. What individual, even among us, would want democracy when it involves arbitrarily prosecuting Human Rights violators and applying the rule-of-law? Unfortunately, it is not possible to transform oppressive regimes overnight. But in order to effectively promote democracy, individuals within repressive regimes need to broadly see the U.S. as a symbol of hope and fairness. This is unlikely if these two concepts are not the foundation of any policy. The goal is equal rights for all; thus states need to work within the existing framework or propose reforms while still adhering to it. Otherwise, all legitimacy is lost.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Mon May 18, 2009
Each situation is different. Regarding Burma, the U.S. government should set up a special Human Rights office there to keep watch and focus attention on non-violence, non-imprisonment etc. Journalists should also be given protection in covering events so information can get out. Repressive regimes work through fear and intimidation. All that is necessary is to restrain them from violence and arresting people. But this requires a very actively engaged policy of promoting peace and dialogue in the region and countries where this oppression is taking place. If the regimes refuse entry, then international efforts should be organized, among all the bordering countries to isolate and disrupt any military supplies, as well as financial transactions used to finance military operations, such as accounts in Singapore etc.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Mon May 18, 2009
As several commentators have pointed out we need to practice more then we preach. We are a powerful democracy. Yes, the rich are more powerful then the poor here but that is the case everywhere. But we have the mechanisms in place for the poor to be heard and eventually to make a difference. It is possible for the oppressed to be heard in our country even if it is harder then it should be.

Secondly, the road to democracy is not the same for every country. Iran is a powerful ancient land that has traditions and customs that are strong and deserve to be honored. Democracy and Islam are compatible and can share a role in the governance of a population. Zimbabwe is land out of control. An heroic past of throwing off oppression and then watching that triumph become corrupted. That combined with old traditions has created confusion and the brutal treatment of its' citizens.

People the world over want lives of dignity and respect. The path to that is different for us all and it's the role of the U.S. to understand that and provide assistance and aid towards that goal.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Mon May 18, 2009
Subordinating Repression.....

I just received a disturbing e-mail from a Colleague in Pakistan who is struggling against government repression of Christians and their religious leaders in their quest for a free and democratic Pakistan. Let's be sure not to sanction repression in the name of fighting terrorists.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sun May 17, 2009
You are asking what is the best way to promote Democracy in repressive regimes, hmm.. Taking into account the brutality nature of these repressive regimes, and considering that you are serious about Democracy, there is one and only way. Give the freedom fighters and revolutionary Democrats all the guns, amo, intel and cash they need and leave your marines enjoying life with family at home in America. You will be thanked later and treated as liberators than occupiers and one that really brought Democracy to repressed nations instead of being called the cunning liars and deceivers who uses false flags and raises Championship flags bragging Democracy while your president bows down and kiss the hand of every oppressive ruler in the world . Get a life will ya, stop brainwashing little naive kids all over the world with your Hollywood produced con games..]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sun May 17, 2009
The equivalent of EVERY man, woman, and child in the whole states of Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, and Indiana have NO health care in our United States of America. We will be more effective at promoting democracy when we ourselves don't, for instance, put the profits of insurance companies between a patient and her or his doctor.

We should preach less and practice more. In so far as we do implore collaboration with and extol the strengths of democracies, our new approach of less arrogance and fewer papal declarations of our own variegated virtues is a definite boon and step.

Invitations to Best Practices Forums for the college and high school students of countries we hope to engage would be a wisdom. So many of the old warhorses are calcified in their immensely out-of-date views disguised as off-stone-tablets principles. Engage our young folks with their young folks. And people like SecHillary who are flexible of mind and forward-thinking should do town meetings everywhere.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
I believe Aung San Suu Kyi's non-violent approach. We must keep the lines of communication open to repressive regimes, as well as leading by example.

Non-violence is a slow, but effective show of Power. There are numerous successful examples throughout history. Military force, war and other examples of Force do not work except perhaps for the short-term.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
It would help if we were truly a democracy and behaved like one instead of the oppressive police state that this nation has become. We need true democracy ourselves in order to promote it. We are a republic, not a democracy. Our laws are perverted by bad men and women whose aim is too squash out the poor and make the laws as a trap for them. God help our country. But then we left Him out too. Who do we turn to if we make Him an enemy by the way we treat the poor and defenseless in our own country?]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
@ John from Sweden -- A wonderful post. I agree with you 100%.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
@ John in Sweden -- Case in point: America's civil rights movement sent a message to the world that democracy is an evolving institution governed by laws and just constitution that must at all times be vigorously adheared to, and defended.

It's a process of making good on an idea.

U.S. foreign policy has evolved as well, as I think a global mindset has evolved as a natural concequence of real-time communication capability in the latter 20th century.

Dictators no longer exist in isolation with the eyes of the world upon them. Some take the attitude, "Why be famous when I can become infamous?"

Saddam is a fair example of this, and he bought his own ticket to oblivion.

A dictator's vanity in terms of his legacy may be engaged with to alter policies and set the stage for democratic transition in some cases.

In others, the regime itself narrows the options.

For the people, the old saying, "They have the guns, but we have the numbers." is the basis of successful peaceful protest, or a bloodbath.

If it become the latter, nations witness to these crimes against humanity cannot sit idly by, without incurring responsibility for the outcome.

Nations who are witness then must willingly take responsibility from the start that in an interactive world, to act or not to take action by force of arms, the regime itself has a vote in the matter, and a diplomatic way out of office if it so chooses that option.

A framework for peaceful transition in Burma?

Mugabe comes to mind...

Lost an election, clings to power through repression, and ultimately forced to share power with the opposition or risk being taken out of the picture completely.

To get a military junta to assign its forces to civilian control via democratic elections that bring new leadership is a matter of convincing them that the proper mindset needed is one that is in service to the people, not one opposed to their will.

And that their legacy is inherently connected to this decision.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
First, lead by example. You can never demand of anyone else that they must behave better than you do yourself. Not if you expect to be taken seriously anyway.

Second, build good relations with the people. No matter how bad the regime is, it will not repress anyone if the population as a whole decide to not follow that regime anymore. See for example the end of the cold war for the east bloc.

Third, share culture. By allowing free exchange of culture between groups of people with different cultural backgrounds you build understanding for eachother's points of view and will foster a sense of shared humanity instead of opposed nations/religions/ideologies.

Of course these things only work over a relatively long period of time. For a shorter perspective, in case of emergencies such as genocides or humanitarian disasters caused by the regime in question, unfortunately only violence will work. It does however have to be extremely well founded and used only as an absolute last resort. When it is used it must be quick, massive and with a clearly defined achievable political goal as its only purpose.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
Some repressive regimes ,ie Burma for instance ignorant, paranoid and agrieved. Since independence Burma has always felt justified in considering the west as aggressors and imperialists,REMEMBER THE MEMBERS OF THE REGIME ARE OLD. They cannot understand the younger generations reverence for western style democracy. They are completely out of touch with their countrymen on that. All these generals got to these high rank by fighting rebels in the jungles. To them they are protecting their country from disintegration. They think Aung San Suu Kyi will hasten that disintegration and feel justified in their measures. Condemnation is only going make them worse. Working with them would work better. Sanctions work only if they had known prosperity. What you never had you never miss]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
The United Nations does not have the capacity to end wars or oppressive regimes. Its Charter has five main flaws (all nations are not treated equally, power is based on behavior rather than inalienable rights, a nation may not have a voice in matters of grave concern, it also has no recourse to change what is unfair, and a nation does not have to be a signatory of the International Criminal Court so disputes between nations are not resolved. Reforming the UN is not likely because none of the permanent members of the Security Council will agree to give up power.

Therefore, it is time to allow the UN to fade away, and to be replaced by another international body that functions on a higher level. Our organization is working to introduce a plan for an international government that is based on two proven principles: the U.S. Constitution and the cooperation of nature. The U.S. Constitution has keep a land of diverse histories, languages and cultures at peace for over 200 years, and the cooperation of nature has functioned perfectly for billions of years.

Within the proposed international government, a nation's power within the international House of Representatives is based on its population. It will behoove a government to uphold the rights of its people, because if the people feel they have been oppressed, they will leave, and the government will lose power.

Because disputes will be handled in a court system rather than the battlefield, and the balance of trade will be handled in the economic departments, and each nation will find its niche based on its talents and gifts, governments will turn their attentions inside their countries rather than attempting to create an international present at the expense of its people.

Each nation will elect a national president and an international president to represent the nation. Because they will be outside the nation for up to a year, it will be impossible to be in two places at the same time, and impossible to maintain a powerbase in both places.

A thriving population will be the most important asset a nation will have.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
I guess the most effective way is to promote tolerance, since that leads to interest in other's opinons. Multilateral international/intersocietal efforts are probably good, to focus not on politics but on mutual trust and education. From enlightened conditions, healthy politics should arise. Every effort of cultural and scientific exchange should be welcomed and promoted. In more free countries, it is important to keep up education about repressed societies and their cultures.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Sat May 16, 2009
The methodology depends on the level of repression the regime levels upon the population.

On the extreme end you could conceivably remove a genocidal maniac from power by invoking "responsibility to protect", as defined under UN member states agreement in 2005.

If the political will among nations supported what they signed onto. And they lived up to it.

Or a coalition of the willing said "enough is enough".

On the more benevolent side of the autocratic... Pakistan's former leader acceded to the people's wishes and wisely stepped aside to let democracy have its day.

So I don't think there's a generic answer to this question.

However if I'm not mistaken, no democratic movement has been successful without the sustained support of other nation's influence and friendship with the population in the process of getting there.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
Do no harm.

Respect Life.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
Depends on your relationship to the repressive regime. If you are on the inside, its harder than it looks.

If you are on the outside looking in and are a democracy hoping to replicate democracy, Rule number one -- practice what you preach.

Number two -- find the networkers and voices of the people and empower them to communicate with some degree of anonymity. I say give everyone an i-phone and make sure the network works.

Rule number three -- isolate fence sitting despots and bring them to the light side by showing them firsthand the fruits of democracy.

Number four, walk a mile in the moccasins of those whose lives will change before you start throwing your weight around or pontificating. Mind your manners.

Number six, do good works directly with the people.

Number seven, dance in the prepositions (over, under, around, through, with, to, between) to speak the message of democracy directly to the people.

Number eight. Read the Art of War and obey relevant strategies.

Number nine. Get friendly neighbors to weigh in.

Number ten. Pray and continue to practice what you preach.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
I am inspired by the Virtual Student Foreign Service model.

Could we tap into the same potential to have an open source, like Wikipedia, or government moderated website where people could sign up and report on issues relating to the regime, the suffering of people, where violence is happening, and son on. The goal is to AGGREGATE INFORMATION that can be analyzed! This would not be yet another forum to air personal beliefs but instead could consist of:

Twitter-like updates -- from refugees fleeing the regime (yielding strategic locations), refugee first hand accounts (strategic info such as willingness to fight, conditions, etc), and so on.

Blogs: for opinions, to report human rights violations, and more detailed accounts beyond the Twitter-like space.

This forum could serve as a tool for measuring public sentiment in addition to data collection.

Beyond the online community, information should be analyzed by academic anthropologists (not only the military HTS) in an effort to develop better strategies for change.

In a nutshell: massive data from multiple sources (refugees, student advocates, general public in the US and the regime) presented in an open-source or moderated forum to digest and analyze all the information and develop effective strategies. The power of hundreds of thousands of minds focused on a problem, in real-time.

Thank you for all your efforts and for reaching out to the public; one of the reasons the public feels involved again!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
To the extent possible: educate workforce to be skilled in modern technology, create better infrastructure and energy grids, legalize drugs & create supply line to hospitals.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
@ dipnote -- consistent policy of engagement is most effective way. containment & condemnation by U.S. no longer works w/ diminished influence.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
Communication. Communication is the only democratic weapon we have in our arsenal. I'm not talking about agreeing or ignoring repressive governments actions; I'm talking dialogue. As long as we are openly engaging the other government in dialogue we are involving their people. It will ultimately be the people that will change their governments pro-democracy as long as they see it is the right choice and is not forced upon them.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
We have to live it. In lands where democracy is foreign, they take one look at us to see what democracy is, not what we say it is. When we are respectful of one another and respect one another's views, we stand a better chance of being heard on the subject of democracy. We don't promote democracy at gunpoint.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
Oppression under color of law is one of the most common offenses against human rights in every nation and Burma is merely one example; another is Britain.

British citizens have been living a police state for almost 10 years, and the only possible escape for them is to leave the country or abolish the monarchy.

Essentially all British citizens are political prisoners when their entire nation becomes a high security prison complete with listening devices, cameras, and an abundance of police and petty officials having little else to do except annoy the public.

The British police can, without a court hearing or trial, arrest and imprison a citizen for 28 days on mere discretion alone, and without fear of discipline for abuse of discretion.

While British citizens are being constantly photographed, recorded, wiretapped and watched by their own government, the citizens themselves are not allowed to photograph government streets, sidewalks, buildings, bridges, officials or the police, and are subject to arrest "for terrorist activities" merely for loitering in public with a camera.

Not only is freedom of speech restricted in Britain, but their government has attempted to limit free speech in America by placing U.S. citizens on a no entry list because of their exercise of free speech in America.

How do we promote democracy in the United Kingdom?

Obviously, we don't. Our State Department keeps silent and does nothing when it is ourselves or our allies who are destroying our liberty.

At the very least, there should be a State Department traveller's warning against visiting the United Kingdom with a camera.

Greece is another example. Numerous journalists have been stopped and questioned as much as two miles away from the Bilderberg meeting at the Astir Palace Hotel Resort in Athens, Greece. Many journalist arrests have been made. Some journalists were arrested twice merely for trying to cover that story, all without any criminal charges filed.

In the name of "privacy" for a few, the international press have lost their freedom and are currently subject to arbitrary arrest in Greece without legal offense merely for using a camera near the Bilderberg meeting.

Democracy in advanced western nations suffers when bureaucrats, private security firms and local police are given discretionary power of arrest and confinement of journalists merely for writing a story about a newsworthy event.

The fault lies not only in Burma, North Korea, Tibet, or Iran, but in our own political leaders who silently tolerate these outrages in our own countries.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
The most effective way to promote democracy within repressive regimes would necessarily be subtle, by degrees. A 'strong hand' would most likely have the unintended effect of deteriorating conditions rather than improving them.

The concept of democracy produces panic in such regimes. The idea of losing total control over the population is the biggest threat to repressive, totalitarian leaders.

Promoting democracy within repressive regimes is a very difficult task. Perhaps promotion by example is an option. It may be perceived as less intrusive & threatening. Building bridges, setting the foundation for friendly relations, offering assistance where possible, opening the door diplomatically in the hope that the gesture will be reciprocated are just a few steps in the right direction.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009
Promoting Democracy.....

One way is to provide protection and outlets for Human Rights Defenders (HRD's) in repressive Regimes. HRD's are dedicated to keeping HR issues in the spotlight; and need to know that the world is aware of violations and repression in their respective countries/regions to be included in reports at all HR forums. The best disinfectant for corruption and repression is Sunlight. Support, develop and protect the Human Rights Defenders.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/q_promote_democracy/ Fri May 15, 2009