Re: If we do get Afghanistan, what shall we do with it?

From: Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Date: Mon Nov 19 2001 - 08:12:19 MST


>From: "Alex F. Bokov" <alexboko@umich.edu>

>I know there is a previous thread on this, but I can't find it, so
>if nobody minds, I'd like to revisit the question.

Good idea.

>What degree of cultural engineering is necessary or desirable in
>Afghanistan?

>Should we be satisfied merely with a government that no longer
>gives safe harbor to Al Quaida? Or should we strive for more, like
>respect for free speech, privacy, elected and accountable
>government, equal protection under the law (in particular, equal
>rights for women)?

The U.N. has a protocol that includes all these things. I think we
should base anything other than basic humanitarian aid after the
war on this being adopted.

It only makes sense that a pluralistic country choose a democracy,
and a secular one at that.

>If we opt for the latter, are we being cultural imperialists,
>since this is blatantly not consistant with their way of life,
>particularly the last item? In such cases, is it necessarily wrong
>to be a cultural imperialist?

I never sat with the "prime directive" as such. I think there are
fundamental human rights that supersede cultural fundamentalism.

>NOTE: Spike & Mike & Co., please hold your fire. I already know
>what your take on this is, and it's not without merit, but this
>question is mainly addressed to the Doves. I still want to know
>what's more important, human rights or the Prime Directive, and
>maybe this time I'll get an answer.

Human rights, and I wouldn't send doves in with hawks.

Brian

Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
SBC/Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sat Nov 02 2002 - 08:12:02 MST