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A Better System of Government for Iraq A Minority View  Walter E. Williams www.humaneventsonline.com February 28, 06 High up on my list of annoyances are references to the United States as a democracy and the suggestion that Iraq should become a democracy. The word "democracy" appears in neither of our founding documents -- the Declaration of Independence nor the U.S. Constitution. Our nation's founders had disdain for democracy and majority rule. James Madison, in Federalist Paper No. 10, said in a pure democracy, "there is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or the obnoxious individual." During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Edmund Randolph said that "in tracing these evils to their origin every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy." John Adams said, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." Chief Justice John Marshall added, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos." The founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny suffered under King George III. Their vision for us was a republic. But let's cut to Iraq and President Bush's call for it to become a democracy. I can't think of a worse place to have a democracy -- majority rule. Iraq needs a republic like that envisioned by our founders -- decentralized and limited government power. In a republican form of government, there is rule of law. All citizens, including government officials, are accountable to the same laws. Government intervenes in civil society to protect its citizens against force and fraud but does not intervene in the cases of peaceable, voluntary exchange. Democracy, what the Bush administration calls for, is different. In a democracy, the majority rules either directly or through its elected representatives. The law is whatever the government determines it to be. Laws aren't necessarily based upon reason but power. In other words, democracy is just another form of tyranny -- tyranny of the majority. In Iraq, Arabs are about 75 percent of the population, Kurds about 20 percent and Turkomen and Assyrian the balance. Religiously, Shia are about 60 percent of the population, Sunni 35 percent with Christian and other religions making up the balance. If a majority-rule democracy emerges, given the longstanding hate and distrust among ethnic/religious groups, it's a recipe for conflict. The reason is quite simple. Majority rule is a zero-sum game with winners and losers, with winners having the power to impose their wills on the minority. Conflict emerges when the minority resists. The ideal political model for Iraq is Switzerland's cantonal system. Historically, Switzerland, unlike most European countries, was made up of several different major ethnic groups -- Germans, French, Italians and Rhaeto-Romansch. Over the centuries, conflicts have arisen between these groups, who differ in language, religion (Catholic and Protestant) and culture. The resolution to the conflict was to allow the warring groups to govern themselves. Switzerland has 26 cantons. The cantons are divided into about 3,000 communes. Switzerland's federal government controls only those interests common to all cantons -- national defense, foreign policy, railways and the like. All other matters are controlled by the individual cantons and communes. The Swiss cantonal system enables people of different ethnicity, language, culture and religion to live at peace with one another. As such, Switzerland's political system is well suited to an ethnically and religiously divided country such as Iraq. By the way, for President Bush and others who insist on calling our country a democracy, should we change our pledge of allegiance to say "to the democracy, for which it stands," and should we rename "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to "The Battle Hymn of the Democracy"? Dr. Williams is a nationally syndicated columnist, former chairman of the economics department at George Mason University, and author of More Liberty Means Less Government. ----

Who are the Christians of Iraq?  February = Eshvadt  A better System of Government for Iraq Feb 28, 06 Exiled in a Museum, the Dream of Peace  Feb. 26, 06 Kurdish Minister Has No Objection to Assyrian Christian Administrative Area Feb. 25, 06 Vatican to Muslims - practise what you preach Feb. 24, 06 The tombs of Ur reveal treasures Feb. 23, 06 Rosie Malek-Yonan To speak at Berkely University Feb. 23, 06 IRAQI CHURCHES BOMBED: LINK WITH DANISH CARTOONS  Feb. 22, 06 Assyrian movie at the multimedia theater in Ankawa  Feb. 21, 06 Policies and Politics Iraq Three years on Feb. 21, 06 The Roman Catholic Church Role in Promoting Chaldean identity for the Catholic Assyrians Feb. 18, 06 Assyrians of Netherlands Concerned About Refugees Being Sent Back  Feb. 17, 06 Terrorism against Christianity in Pakistan Feb. 17, 06 Brought Up To Hate Feb. 17, 06 Christian and Muslim Victims of Violence  Feb. 17, 06 Assyrian-Americans Reach Out to Relatives Displaced By Iraq War Feb. 17, 06 Talabani: Autonomy for Turkmens in Kurdistan Feb. 16, 06 Ending the Exodus of Iraq's Most Vulnerable Feb. 15, 06 Christians targeted in cartoons row Feb. 14, 06 Muhammad Cartoon Protests Move Into Turkish Christian Town Feb. 14, 06 Press Release by the Assyrian Society of United Kingdom Feb. 13, 06 Iraqi Parliament Member Once Sentenced by Death of Hussein Feb. 12, 06 Iraq dignitary's visit marred by bomb threat Feb. 10, 06 SUA condemns the violence and terror against the Christians of Iraq  Feb. 10, 06 We Are Not Arab-Americans Feb. 10, 06 An Interview with Yonadam Kanna Feb. 9, 06 Lebanon bishops express solidarity with Iraqi Christians Feb. 9. 06 Ba-oota d' Ninevayee or the Fast of the Ninevites Feb. 8, 06 Chaldo-Assyrian Iraqi lawmaker speaks to backers in El Cajon Feb. 8, 06 For Iraq's Persecuted Assyrians, a Safe Haven is the Only Solution Feb. 8, 06 The Christian Role on Iraq's Fragmented Streets Feb. 6, 07 Brotherhood of cabbies joins ranks to mourn murdered driver Feb. 6, 6 Iraq Islamic Group Asks Christians to Stop Prayers in Churches Feb. 6, 06 How do Mohammad's caricatures affect the Assyrians? Feb, 6, 06 Protesters Torch Danish Mission in Beirut and ransacked the Christian neighborhood Feb. 6.06 Ongoing Hidden Persecution of Christians In Iraq  Feb 5, 06 Protests Over Muhammad Drawings Intensify Feb. 3, 06  PRESENTATION OF AN ACADEMIC TEXTBOOK "CLASSICAL ASSYRIAN LANGUAGE" IN YEREVAN Feb. 3, 06 Iraq Christians on Edge As Cartoon Row Escalates Feb. 3, 06 Enough Is Enough - Six Assyrian Christian Churches Bombed in Iraq! Feb. 2, 06 Proposal for an Assyrian Regional Government Basic Law Feb. 2, 06 Ghetto-blaster: Cantons for Assyrians and Yazidis along with the Turkomans Feb. 2, 06  Christian Watchdog Groups Say Iraqi Christians 'Endangered,' Fear Mass Exodus Feb. 2. 06 Iraq Christians Urge Westerners to Refrain from Inflaming the Situation. Feb. 2, 06 Legislation seeks to limit NGOs in Iraq  Feb. 2, 06 January = Canoon Kharaya  Iraq's Simultaneous bomb attacks killed 3 Christians Jan. 31, 06 British House of Commons Holds Hearing on Assyrian Genocide Jan. 31, 06 IRAQ: Sectarian tensions on the rise Jan. 31, 06 The World's Silence over Terrorizing Christians in Iraq Jan. 30, 06 Explosions target Christian churches in Iraq Jan. 30, 06 US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Comments about Iraq Jan. 28, 06 Insurgents Driven From Tal Afar in Northern Iraq: US Commander Jan. 27, 06 Saga of Assyrians in Iran comes to life in works by Turlock artist Jan.27, 06 Azerbaijani Soldiers Desecrate Armenian Christian Cemetery Jan. 25, 06 Iraq's WMD Secreted in Syria, Says Former Iraqi General Jan. 25. 06 The Armenians appreciate the Assyrian efforts for Seyfo's recognition. Jan. 25, 06  Cash meant for Iraqis 'misused' Jan. 25, 06 Explosion Rocks Baghdad's Assyrian District Jan. 25, 06 UC Berkeley Course "Assyrians, the Forgotten Ones" Jan. 25, 06 Moslem Protesters set Fire to a Christian House of Worship in Egypt Jan. 24, 06 Seyfo: Report of Conference at the House of Commons about the Armenian and Assyrian Genocide Jan. 24, 06 BRITISH FILM PREMIERE. DOCUMENTARY ON ARMENIAN AND ASSYRIANS GENOCIDES, 1915 Jan. 23, 06 Kidnapping of the Assyrians in Iraq continues Jan. 23, 05 Praying in Jesus' Own Language Jan. 23, 06 Renowned Assyrian Scholar Erica Reiner Jan. 22, 06 How does Iran effect Assyrians in Turlock California? Jan. 21, 06 The Seyfo Seminar at the House of Commons Jan. 21, 06 ADO: An Apolitical Petty Bourgeois Organisation or a Mature Political Leadership? Jan. 21, 06 Ammo Baba: tied, eye-folded, beaten, and then robbed Jan. 20, 06 The Final Iraq's Election's Results! Jan. 20, 06 Tomb raiders Jan. 18, 06 The Assyrian Republican mayor , Man on the move  Jan. 18, 06 Donations For Allan Enwiyah Jan. 18, 06 Exhibition by the Assyrian artist Hannibal Alkhas Jan. 17, 06 Politics & Policies: Deconstructing Iraq Jan. 16, 06 Poly Sci Course on Assyrians Offered at UC, Berkeley Jan. 15, 06 Kurds focus on corruption in Kurdistan administration  Jan. 13, 06 Ecumenism and the Eucharist Jan. 13, 06 An Assyrian Coach of the Canadian Beaver Bruins hockey team Jan.12, 06 Turkey's massacre of the Assyrians and the Armenians Jan. 11, 06 New Iraqi Constitution May Limit Women's Freedoms Jan. 10, 06 The Boomerang Effect in Iraq: If 'Kurdistan', Why Not Assyria? Jan. 10, 06 Bishop's Report From the Assyrians of Iraq Jan. 9, 06 woman journalist abducted in Iraq, interpreter, killed jan. 9, 06 PanGlobal TV adds AssyriaSat to channel lineup Jan. 9, 06 Bishop Worrys About the future of the Christians in Iraq Jan. 7, 06 Major Terror Plot Against US Ignored By US Media Jan. 6, 06 Jan. 6, 06 U.S. troops deliver gifts to Iraq - school supplies Jan. 5, 06 Iraq Election Despair Spreads To Expatriates Jan. 5, 06 Assyriologist, Erica Reiner Dead at 81- 1924-2005 Jan. 4, 06 The Last Assyrians Jan. 3, 06 Egypt Appoints First Christian Governor in Three Decades Jan, 3, 06 If Only Rocks Could Talk!  Jan . 2, 06 Car bombs, fuel riots usher in New Year in Iraq Jan. 1, 06 Errors in Biblical Dating According to Ancient Assyrian records January 1, 06 December = Canoon Gadmaya Many treasures looted from Iraqi museum still lost  Dec. 30, 05 Don't Blame the Hanukkah on the Assyrians  Dec. 30, 05   Revised  Kurds Are Flocking to Kirkuk, Laying Claim to Land and Oil Dec. 29, 05  Iraq's jailed former deputy PM Aziz gets family call for Christmas Dec. 28, 05 Family of Kurdish Historian Accuses Barzani of His Murder Dec. 28, 05 The arrest of Dr Kamal Sayid Qadir emerges as a key test of Kurdish Regional government Dec. 28, 05  Christians trying to find a place in war-torn Iraq  Dec. 28, 05 Hopes for peace in Iraq this Christmas Dece. 26, 05 Assyrians make sure Iraq pays attention Dec. 26, 05 Christmas Celebrations in Turkey Dec. 26, 05 Fearful Christmas in Baghdad Dec. 25, 05  Bullet-riddled body of Iraqi student leader found Dec. 25, 05 Iraqi Government Wishes Christians Merry Christmas Dec. 24, 05 For Iraqi Christians, Christmas represents church, family, fears Dec. 24, 05 Christians celebrate a wary Christmas in Baghdad  Dec. 24, 05   Iraqi Christians Pray and Brace for Election Outcome Dec. 24, 05 Safety fears hang over celebrations in Iraq Dec. 24, 05 Fear overshadows Christmas joy in Baghdad December 23, 05 U of T pharmacology postgraduate student from Woodbridge Came to Canada from Iraq in 1996 Dec.23, 05 Democracy in Iraq or Ethnic cleansing of the Christians? Dec. 21, 05 Sunnis, Secular Shiites Threaten Boycott Dec. 21, 05 Large Assyrian Turnout in Iraq Election Marred By Kurdish Voting Fraud Dec. 21, 05 The Real War On Christmas Dec. 19, 95 Iraq Expats Narrowly Favor Christian Assyrian Slate Dec. 19, 05 Concern expressed for Assyrian Christians in Iraq  Dec. 18, 05 Iraqis Vote in Historic Election toward Freedom, Democracy Dec. 17, 05 Turkmen Complain Kurds Cheated in Elections in Kirkuk Dec. 17, 05 Touch of Assyria in San Jose. Dec. 16, 05 Iraqi Christians flee to Jordan, Syria in response to increased persecution Dec. 16, 05 The Mid-East's beleaguered Christians Dec. 16, 05 Exiled Iraqi Christians Vote With Concern About Their Future Dec. 15, 05 Tension Mounting on Day of Iraqi Elections Dec. 15, 05 Iraqi Americans Cast Their Votes Dec. 14, 05 Information about Voting in Canada Dec. 14, 05 A vote for democracy 12, 14, 05 Iraqi expatriates to vote in elections, hopeful new government can end bloodshed Dec. 13, 05 Iraqi Americans Ponder Role in Homeland's Vote Dec. 12, 05 Iraqi-Americans ready for polls Dec 12, 2005   The Latest information about Iraq's Out-of-Country Voting Dec. 12, 05 Between Iraq and a hard place, Iraqi Christians in Syria Dec. 12, 05 Half a Million Iraqi Assyrians (including Chaldeans and Syriacs) have taken refuge in Syria Dec. 11, 05 Assyrian Claims Discussed in Australian Parliament Dec. 11, 05 Iraqis here get voice in Baghdad's future Dec. 11, 05 Official Information about Iraq's out of the country voting Dec. 10, 05 Iraq's Voting in Canada Dec. 10, 05 Iraqi community to cast votes at fairgrounds in Pleasanton Dec. 9, 05 Fostering creativity in dangerous times Dec. 8, 05 Meet Miss World Canada 2005, Ramona Amiri Dec. 8. 05 IRAQ: KURDISH PRESIDENT OFFERS REFUGE TO CHRISTIANS  Dec. 8, 05 Iraq Establishes 8 Polling Centers in the U.S. 12, 8, 05 News From Iraq Dec. 8, 05 740 Stained with the blood of our Martyrs Dec. 6, 05 Kurdistan Democratic Party Stops Assyrian Group From Campaigning Dec. 6, 05 Campaign activity, insurgent violence rise in Iraq  Dec. 5, 05 Myths About the Situation in Iraq Dec. 5, 05 Competition for the best design of the Ancient Assyrian Costumes Dec. 3, 05 List of "Reported" Assyrians murdered in Iraq in 2005. Dec. 3, 05 Dylan's quest: Six-year-old needs blood matches Dec. 3, 05 Shades of voter apathy Dec, 2, 05 Holywood Tapestries Featuring Semiramis is on Auction  Dec. 2, 05 Iraq's Oily Referendum Dec. 1, 05 Iraqi Parliamentary Elections In California Dec. 1, 05    Archives