U.S. Considering Online Push For Democratic Change In Iran
from the blogs? dept
So, it turns out that the US government is exploring ways to create some sort of Farsi-language website to promote democracy in Iran. This sounds like typical top-down propaganda that most people won’t find all that useful. Now, I’m not one of those in the “blogs are the answer to everything” camp, but it seems, in this case, this is the perfect project for bloggers. Already, there are stories about the rapid increase in Iranian, Farsi-language blogs, so why doesn’t the US just encourage more Iranian bloggers to speak out online? The blogs would have a human voice, rather than a propaganda/government voice, and would be more likely to generate real discussion. Of course, not everything said would make the US government happy, but at least it would be real. Update: In related news, here’s an article saying that the rise of things like blogs in Iran is likely leading to a crackdown on the internet from Iranian authorities.
Comments on “U.S. Considering Online Push For Democratic Change In Iran”
The Greek model
Greece under dictator Papadopoulos was more pro-American than the “democracy” that followed. Today, between a nationalist/socialist media and reactionary church, the masses are whipped up into a frenzy of anti-Americanism. Greek democracy has outlawed video games, Nike shoes, among other things. What would prevent the same thing from happening to Iran?
Re: The Greek model
I always thought that the spread of democracy was to allow a free country to develop on their own. If the country chooses to be anti-American afterwards, that is there choice. If the US wanted to make the world pro american, I think they have another word for it called imperialism.
Re: Re: The Greek model
Yup, democracy is no guarantee that a society will become secular or tolerant. The French people elected Napoleon. The Islamic Revolution was a populist movement at first. Countries with inferiority complexes against advanced nations are prone to elect fascistic governments.