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:
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