US style democracy is not necessarily best form of government for others

[The Straight Story]

I found a speech from Nixon and an Essay from Kissinger delivered at the Bohemian Grove which is rich with information. Here is but a small excerpt:

Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Volume I, Foundations of Foreign Policy

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/frus/nixon/i/20700.htm

I would like to illustrate my last point with an example. Four of the most dramatic economic success stories are Thailand, Iran, Taiwan and Mexico.

Thailand has a limited monarchy.

Iran has a strong monarchy.

Taiwan has a strong President with an oligarchy.

Mexico has one-party government.

Not one of these countries has a representative democracy by Western standards. But it happens that in each case their system has worked for them.

It is time for us to recognize that much as we like our own political system, American style democracy is not necessarily the best form of government for people in Asia, Africa and Latin America with entirely different backgrounds.

Let us turn now to the most fundamental question--why continue foreign aid at all? We must recognize that frustration over Vietnam, disillusionment with our European allies who, despite our immense post-World War II aid to them, more often than not refused to cooperate with us in our foreign policy objectives, and the shocking mismanagement and waste in many of the aid programs have all combined to create a new spirit of isolationism in the United States which is becoming stronger in both political parties.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/frus/nixon/i/20700.htm

So much more in this long speech and the following essay to bring up.

I mention this here due to the recent info on Kissinger/bushboy. It is interesting to look back at that time and see where it has led us, and what we can learn from the ideas of that time.

[Redstone]

1. Each people will find its own way, in other words. Your point is

well made. They do not have to do what we do, or think like us, because they're not us.

Redstone

[The Straight Story]

3. Hey buddy, how you doing?

Glad to see you out and about tonight.

I have been researching the bohemian grove and the RW scum that go there, and came across this Nixon/Kissinger piece from the time.

bush seems to think our way is the only way, pretty damn sad to me. I favor isolationism in some ways - ie, in the way that we don't interject ourselves into the lives of others but we still interact with them on a primal level. We trade, help out as needed, and in some rare instances we go to war (ww 2 being a good example).

[Redstone]

4. And isn't it amazing that old Henry, who got Viet Nam SO wrong, is now

a "consultant" to bushyboy and them.

What's next, are they going to consult with David Duke on racial relations?

We've really fallen down the rabbit hole, haven't we?

I'm doing OK, by the way; and thanks for asking.

Redstone

[marmar]

2. Nope. But we think it is, and that everyone should want it....

so we feel the need to impose it on everybody....
And I'm sure our Western European and Canadian friends would question how much "democracy" we have these days.

[niallmac]

5. You must know this country does not give a sh*t about

spreading democracy. Right? Was the Vietnam war waged because we were just
so stressed that those poor Vietnamese did not have one person one vote in place?
We protect our financial interests overseas at any cost and anyone who believes this
country gives a damn about democracy here or overseas is naive.

We are a Capitalist corporate monolith start and finish. We enjoy our SUVs and our
cheap gas on the backs of those people who do not enjoy the profits of the oil trade.
Do we give a cr*p if Saudi Arabia has a democracy?