The Spread of Democracy

Democracy is spreading. It does so externally as well as internally. It may be because democracy is the form of government that is most symbiotic with free choice and also in my opinion with simple human nature. There is an important relationship in America between democracy and the concept of living a rich and plentiful life. As democracy spreads it gives many people a sense that they have an impact on their society and their individual lives. That in turn gives a sense of importance and happiness.

In his book, Democracy Matters, Cornel West gives his analysis of the arrested development of democracy. He mentions both the situation of the state of democracy in America and also the crisis of democracy related to the Middle East. In his book he argues that if America wants to be better and more effective at spreading democracy around the world, It must first acknowledge our own true history of imperialist corruption which has plagued the U.S. America has so far failed to maintain peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Islamist anti-American views are rooted largely in our own hypocritical dealings and actions with the rest of the world.

West believes that racism and imperial expansion have usually gone hand in hand in our country's ongoing drive toward hegemony. America's current militaristic push is only one of the latest examples of that drive. In America we are opposed to and shocked by so called acts of terrorism committed by Islamic fundamentalists. However our own predominantly so-called "Christian" fundamentalism has allied itself with the imperialist corporate and political elite. This alliance spreads racism within our own country as well as abroad. It also inflicts other forms debilitating psychological pain on so many of our citizens.