Democratic peaceful counter-attack

Submitted by DEMSCI (Netherlands), Feb 15, 2009 at 03:14

There is so much to learn from this article and all the comments on it. I really love the Daniel Pipes-website. I believe and admire a lot of it. I also clearly see the threat mentioned. Like Geert Wilders I only am opposed to (part of) Islam, not to Muslims, many of whom I very much like. But I read a lot on the internet, including Faith Freedom International. There Ali Sina predicts the downfall of Islam, by and large of course, in this century. And look at Iran, where by now Islam is very unpopular!

Or look at the secret conversions of more and more Muslims. Democracy also is a very potent movement which can spread. And has spread already, far and wide! And it can coexist with all sorts of religions, including Islam. I live in Rotterdam, Holland, where we now have a Moroccan Islamic mayor, but most of us are not afraid of him! We could keep trying to spread democracy worldwide. We could value land less and the worldwide percentage of people living under democratic rule more.

With our money we could even set up new states under condition that they are and must remain democratic (I know this is the hard part, but in proper real competition more will be successful than "relapse" in dictatorial states). We can then invite as much migrants as (financially) possible to democratic rule. Yes, Islam seems to have demography on its side, but most of its states/ people are relatively backward, poor, oppressed, unhappy. So when we offer real choices for as many people as possible between living under Democratic or Dictatorial Islamic regimes, I am confident that, by and large, Democratic societies will win out in the long run. Let us, in the most peaceful manner, counter-attack, not by taking lands, but by inviting people to democracy! Competing with Islamic regimes all over the world!

The very Islamic strength could be our inspiration to unite for and invest in Democracy! (Which seems to be our main deficiency; inspiration, investment in Democracy). Yes, Muslims often demand autonomy, but once in power, can they hold on to the people they are sure to oppress, whom we offer better alternatives (especially the women!)? Already every year 500.000 people flee Iran! And always to the West! Not to Russia, China, Islamic countries, why? Can Islam under proper real competition improve on the West in economy, overall happiness? Let them try, but I doubt it. Imagine when people are really able to vote with their feet! (And traveling never was so "possible").

Yes, here and there we might lose (much) land, but we can win back even more! And is land-possession so sacred, in the 21st century? I think for (overall + personal) happiness Prosperity, Freedom, other factors play a much bigger role than mere land-possession. And can regimes hold on to power, if they can't hold on to their people? Anyway, rarely you hear of people wanting to secede from rich states, but all the more from poor, oppressive ones.

But I also concede that the whole issue is very complicated, and this view is only my hope, not my certain conviction.

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