>Yeah, I get your point.

>Of course "terrible democracy" is... well, terrible. But isn't that what dictatorship is, a terrible democracy?

No, a democracy does not have a leader who can decide all. A dictator does not allow for elections.

>Nations that pretend to put on afree and open election, but it turns out there was no choice at all becuase the standing dictator/his regime jailed or even murdered all who oppose him/it.

If you really dive into this you'll see that dictatorship and democracies are far less apart than theory will tell you. A pure democracy does not exist (Switzerland come closest AFAIK), because the government still decides what is going to happen. The fact that democracies have elections does not mean citizens have a direct influence on what is decided. So in a sense those democracies can be viewed as a collective dictatorship with the possibility of getting rid of it on the next election.

>It sound clever and witty but "It is better to have a strong and good dictatorship than a terrible democracy...." doesn't mean anything. He might as well have said "War is not the answer" or "Make love not war".

>BTW: Tito and his regime were no angels either.

In what respect? See dragans reply... he lived there. He did drive the communists out and provided a healthier economy. Are you telling me that your administration are angels currently? I think if you compare such dictators with some 'democracies' (south America, Africa) you'll come to the conclusion that democracy is not neccesarely the answer for all the problems. Esspecially in underdevelloped countries where illiteracy is high and schooling is about absent you cannot expect much from trying to force a democracy in. People then absolutely do not have a clue where they are voting for. It might be better to have a good dictator (like tito) who care for the people.

If you ask me, the problem in the arab world is best help with a strong dictator who want best for the people, suppresses ethnic conflicts (like sadam did), provides excellent, schooling, opens up their economy, create a secular society.

Only after that has been provided for a few decades the time is right for democracy. You simply cannot force a democracy... It just takes time...

Walter,