A Shout Out to Machiavelli and Sowell
We see the Israelis and Hezbollah pitted again in fierce conflict. Appeals for peace ring from shiny desk to shiny desk across Europe and the halls of the United Nations. At risk, besides the obvious regional/global war that could ensue, is the nascent "democracy" of Lebanon and how Israel, an established democracy, could destroy it.
Niccolo Machiavelli addressed this issue of incipient democratic government in Discouses on Livy. When speaking of citizens who attempt democratizing, he states, "they will never order themselves without danger, because enough men never agree to a new law that looks to a new order in a city unless they are shown by a necessity a reason to do it. Since this necessity cannot come without danger, it is an easy thing for a republic to be ruined before it can be led to a perfection of order" (translated by Mansfield and Tarcov). AHA! Machiavelli argues that any republic must face monumental challenges at its birth; it must wrangle and wrestle, it must spit and bleed and sweat. And yes, many of its citizens must die. Baby Republic, born screaming from chaos and tyranny, cannot delay this adversity and survive.
Some may argue that this quotation casts blame directly on Israel for wanting to destroy Lebanon. However, Israel wants nothing more than a true democratic republic to its north. But Israel cannot exist if this democracy allows terrorists to act with impunity.
Thus, as Thomas Sowell demonstrates in his column, "A 'Cycle' of Nonsense," (see link below) the peace process, orchestrated via the rhetoric of United Nations and the chief appeasers of the world, cannot occur through words. If the Lebanese want democracy, they will have to squeeze it from the lifeblood of the terrorists who want nothing to do with democracy. If the Europeans and Americans want democracy in the Middle East, they must stomach the brutality.
In 2000, the Israelis vacated southern Lebanon after 18 years of occupation. In the interim, the various cease-fires and peace plans have unravelled. Now, the Israeli army awaits the final command to return. The Lebanese government appeals to the world because they can neither stop the terrorists, nor can they stop the Israelis.
The Roman republic of which Machiavelli details, the United States, and the other European democracies suffered enourmous pain until they "could be led to a perfection of order." Until the citizens decide to stop the terrorists that are the real enemies of democracy, the Lebanese cannot live in freedom.
Niccolo Machiavelli addressed this issue of incipient democratic government in Discouses on Livy. When speaking of citizens who attempt democratizing, he states, "they will never order themselves without danger, because enough men never agree to a new law that looks to a new order in a city unless they are shown by a necessity a reason to do it. Since this necessity cannot come without danger, it is an easy thing for a republic to be ruined before it can be led to a perfection of order" (translated by Mansfield and Tarcov). AHA! Machiavelli argues that any republic must face monumental challenges at its birth; it must wrangle and wrestle, it must spit and bleed and sweat. And yes, many of its citizens must die. Baby Republic, born screaming from chaos and tyranny, cannot delay this adversity and survive.
Some may argue that this quotation casts blame directly on Israel for wanting to destroy Lebanon. However, Israel wants nothing more than a true democratic republic to its north. But Israel cannot exist if this democracy allows terrorists to act with impunity.
Thus, as Thomas Sowell demonstrates in his column, "A 'Cycle' of Nonsense," (see link below) the peace process, orchestrated via the rhetoric of United Nations and the chief appeasers of the world, cannot occur through words. If the Lebanese want democracy, they will have to squeeze it from the lifeblood of the terrorists who want nothing to do with democracy. If the Europeans and Americans want democracy in the Middle East, they must stomach the brutality.
In 2000, the Israelis vacated southern Lebanon after 18 years of occupation. In the interim, the various cease-fires and peace plans have unravelled. Now, the Israeli army awaits the final command to return. The Lebanese government appeals to the world because they can neither stop the terrorists, nor can they stop the Israelis.
The Roman republic of which Machiavelli details, the United States, and the other European democracies suffered enourmous pain until they "could be led to a perfection of order." Until the citizens decide to stop the terrorists that are the real enemies of democracy, the Lebanese cannot live in freedom.
posted by Henry Plantagenet at 2:40 PM
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