|
< Previous Post | Next Post >
Russia's Elections 2: Russia Should Face ConsequencesPosted by Kyle Atwell in on Thursday, December 6. 2007 Helle Dale argues in the Washington Times that the elections in Russia were not legitimate, and Russia should face consequences for this. Autocrats like Mr. Putin are trying to take back the reins of power carefully and one piece at a time. By international standards, Russia cannot be called a democracy anymore - as German Chancellor Angela Merkel remarked to her credit. She knows something about political repression, having grown up in East Germany. There should be consequences. While most in Europe and the US have spoken out against the Russian elections, other countries (notably those in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO) have argued that western countries have no right to judge Russia's democracy. From the Washington Post: "There is not just one category of democracy in the world. You cannot import, copy or buy democracy," said Gao Yusheng, a Chinese citizen who headed the [SCO's] observer mission in Moscow. Observer groups from other republics of the former Soviet Union reached similar conclusions. So, who has the right to decide whether a democracy is legitimate or not? I certainly have trouble believing the SCO, with a membership composed of non-democracies to include Uzbekistan, Iran, and China among others, is a better arbiter of open government than European countries and the United States. I also agree with Helle Dale that Russia should face consequences. Democracy is more than an abstract concept; as a form of governance it has important tangible implications for the internal and external peace of a country. Researchers have found substantial evidence that democratic governments have better human rights policies, and are significantly less likely to go to war. Knowing the merits of democracy, it is both a moral and practical objective to encourage democratic governance in other states. The need for democracy is exceptionally relevant when it comes to Russia, because the world already knows how dangerous a nationalistic and centralized Russia can become-especially a Russia that seeks to exert influence over its former client states, as Putin does.
Share on Facebook
Welcome! You are reading the ATLANTIC REVIEW -- a Press Digest on Transatlantic Relations edited by three German Fulbright Alumni. The horizontal menu bar at the top helps to navigate this site. Subscribe to one of our RSS-Feeds or to our newsletter, which is emailed twice per month.Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks
Don S
- #1 - 2007-12-06 19:59 - (Reply)
"he world already knows how dangerous a nationalistic and centralized Russia can become"
ian in hamburg
- #2 - 2007-12-06 22:58 - (Reply)
Considering the way the last two presidential elections in the US have been run, and considering how quick the US is to go to war, and considering the lack of human rights in places like Guantanamo, I'd say the question as to which country is or isn't a democracy should be addressed elsewhere.
John in MI
- #2.1 - 2007-12-07 02:52 - (Reply)
I have to disagree totally with ian in hamburg.
ian in hamburg
- #3 - 2007-12-07 07:14 - (Reply)
Interesting points raised here.
Kyle Atwell
- #3.1 - 2007-12-07 08:16 - (Reply)
Hi Ian, thank you for the feedback. I am very interested to hear feedback on how Europeans view America.
John in MI
- #3.2 - 2007-12-07 11:03 - (Reply)
Thanks for responding, ian. I'll try to clarify a few points.
Zyme
- #3.2.1 - 2007-12-07 12:42 - (Reply)
You are right that in Germany we have less freedoms. And not only in matters of free speech - For example I don´t think americans have to register demonstrations at the authorities, am I right?
John in MI
- #3.2.1.1 - 2007-12-07 17:18 - (Reply)
Oops...that's right, the Democratic convention came BEFORE the Republican convention. Sorry.
Zyme
- #3.2.2 - 2007-12-07 13:11 - (Reply)
Right after I completed my comment, what do I see on the Spiegel Online page as latest news in Germany?
ian in hamburg
- #3.2.3 - 2007-12-08 11:02 - (Reply)
I fail to see how the vast majority of Germans are affected in any way by the banning of Nazi symbols or the banning of fringe groups like Scientology. I don't agree with either, btw, but if has NO bearing on my life one way or another, nor does it have any bearing on anyone I care to know.
David
- #4 - 2007-12-07 14:19 - (Reply)
@Zyme,
Zyme
- #4.1 - 2007-12-07 15:49 - (Reply)
Thank you for this information. I am surprised - but is it also this easy to forbid a demonstration, so that the request of the demonstration is denied?
John in MI
- #4.2 - 2007-12-07 17:11 - (Reply)
@David:
influx
- #5 - 2007-12-07 14:43 - (Reply)
The Economist's index of democracy is worth considering:
Pat Patterson
- #6 - 2007-12-07 17:10 - (Reply)
Zyme-Not registration but permits are needed for demonstrations only in some areas that either want to use public property, a park for speaker, or a roadway for the march itself. In many cases if the authorities and the demonstrators cannot reach a compromise then the courts usually step in to provide a route and site solution that doesn't violate anyone's 1st Amendment rights against prior restraint. Many areas do not even have that requirement but most definitely send in the police if the streets are blocked or that the protest spills over at a public park into the 12 and under girl's soccer league games. Also many demonstrations use the sidewalk to march without any permit and are only stopped if they block traffic. Its virtually impossible to legally or even illegally stop a demonstration from occurring. Even goups that most people would love to see silenced, neo-Nazis, NAMBLA or New York Yankee fans, have no difficulty in obtaining permits if needed. My own city was plagued for years by one house full of neo-Nazis who regularly demonstrated at the beach and city hall but were never required to get permits as the city charter had no such provisions. Though they did get a lot of littering and jaywalking tickets.
David
- #6.1 - 2007-12-07 18:49 - (Reply)
I was in Boston during the 2004 Democratic convention and there were a number of demonstrations that were refused permits due to "security reasons". There were seven arrests - all involving a non-violent anarchist group.
Zyme
- #7 - 2007-12-07 19:10 - (Reply)
I am quite surprised to see that there is such a wide range opinions on the american right of assembly. So first of all I would like to thank John, Pat and David for the comments on this. Could it be that the legal situation is so vague because of the precedent law which only professional lawyers can fully interpret? Or is a different legal bases between the individual states to blame?
Anonymous
- #7.1 - 2007-12-07 21:12 - (Reply)
Zyme:
John in MI
- #8 - 2007-12-08 05:33 - (Reply)
Both conventions were huge events, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that special measures were put in place. The first priority was to protect the free speech of the convention delegates and their supporters, second, the free speech of peaceful protesters. Protecting the free speech of those who came to disrupt the democratic process was a lower priority. That seems about right to me.
Quo Vadis
- #9 - 2007-12-10 11:13 - (Reply)
I live in San Francisco, the site of many demonstrations over the years. It seems that with every demonstration there those elements who seems to think that the best way to express their disappointment with George Bush or whatever is by "shutting down the city" or "taking back the streets". Add Comment
We appreciate any thoughtful comment!
Would you like to read more? Have a look at our directory of Atlantic Review posts. Or check out the constantly updated reading recommendations from our readers in the sidebar: "Tips From Our Readers." More information on this project in this post. Feel free to comment on any article recommended in the sidebar. BBCode format allowed. You can make a clickable link with this code: If you write "[url=http://america-germany.atlanticreview.org]Carnival of US-German Relations[/url]", then this will be displayed: "Carnival of US-German Relations". And if you write "[url]http://atlanticreview.org/mustreads.html[/url]", then this will be displayed: "http://atlanticreview.org/mustreads.html" |
SponsorTips From Our Readers
The above links on transatlantic issues have been recommended by trusted readers. More information about this web 2.0 project ;-)
Latest Comments
Pat Patterson about Europe Lacks a Risk Culture
All these companies are still tied to photovoltaic panels which are beginning ot [...] franchie about Georgia Conflict: Should NATO Marry the Small Kid on the Playground? "but you are afraid to take on even a modest role in a potentially challenging [...] quo vadis about Georgia Conflict: Should NATO Marry the Small Kid on the Playground? I'm struck by the timidity and lack of confidence expressed by Europeans here and how [...] Elisabetta about Georgia Conflict: Should NATO Marry the Small Kid on the Playground? I fail to see the logic in subordinating the Georgia problem to far-eastern [...] franchie about Europe Lacks a Risk Culture yes you did here otherwise I have seen a few persons that had nothing and take [...] franchie about Georgia Conflict: Should NATO Marry the Small Kid on the Playground? then Georgia should ask for a commercial agreement, but if they enter into Nato, that [...] Nanne about Georgia Conflict: Should NATO Marry the Small Kid on the Playground? It's a tough choice but in the end neither the Czech nor the Hungarian uprising was [...] Nanne about Georgia Conflict: Should NATO Marry the Small Kid on the Playground? The question, as you note, is do we want Georgia? Should NATO have an open door for [...] Google the SiteHot TopicsClick on one of the following links to see all Atlantic Review posts about this topic in a chronological order with the latest post on top:
Afghanistan Anti-Americanism Economics Iran Iraq Merkel Polls Terrorism Click here for the full list of all topics. Read posts from specific Atlantic Review authorsBlogroll
|
Home - About Us - Newsletter - Transatlantic Relations - US Foreign Policy - Various RSS Feeds Designed for Atlantic Review by Carl.




