January 2005

President Outlines Bold-Bold Democracy Doctrine

Early reviews of President Bush’s second inaugural address are lukewarm – the old media lamenting there was not a rousing phrase equal to John F. Kennedy’s “Ask Not” stinger lifted from an 1884 speech by Chief Justice Holmes.

Nor did W mention Iraq, Social Security or tax reform.

Instead he enunciated a stunning U.S. foreign policy equal to – if not surpassing – the Monroe Doctrine of 1823.

President James Monroe was alarmed at the intrusions of the old-world “Holy Alliance” -- France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria -- into the new-world democratic revolutions of Central and South America.

France tried to set up a monarchy in Mexico. Russia explored the west coast now California and Washington.

President Monroe was concerned that Europeans would pursue their monarchial fixations.

In a message to Congress, President Monroe informed the Old World that the American Continents were no longer open to colonization. Any encroachments “would be dangerous to our peace and safety.”

Interestingly, Britain declared it would back up the declaration with its navy. Thus, the western hemisphere became free of European machinations.

With this background, consider the import of President Bush’s speech that establishes a global commitment to representative democracy.

“After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet. Then there came a day of fire in the minds of men. We have seen our vulnerability and its deepest source.

“As long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment -- and in tyranny-prone ideologies that feed hatred and excuse murder -- violence will gather and multiply in destructive power.

“It will cross the most-defended borders and raise a mortal threat.

“We are led by events to one conclusion. The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands.”

* * *

Americans insist they want a bold president. Bush’s conclusion to the matter is bold-bold:

“Across the generations, we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government. No one is fit to be a master. No one deserves to be a slave.

“Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation’s security, and the calling of our time.

“So, it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements in every nation and culture – with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.

“This is not primarily the task of arms -- though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms if necessary.

“America will not impose our style of government on the unwilling. Our goal is to help others find their own freedom and make their own way.”

President Bush wrapped up his conclusion with words from Abraham Lincoln:

“Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it.”

* * *

The fact is that tyranny is widespread in the Arab world – fueled by dogmatic religion and cultural change.

Asian and North African governments that adapted to democracy, technology and religious tolerance are doing well -- Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan.

Neo-communist China has mastered modern technology, but its 1.3 billion citizens are restive over religious and democratic repression.

The lid there will blow one of these days. What will be our response?

Many Americans are uneasy at the number of nations teetering on the cusp of change. Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea and Philippines.

President Bush has astutely reckoned the problem. He responded, as he had to, when stateless terrorists attacked us murderously.

Afghanistan and Iraq were primary terrorist hosts. Iran and North Korea are cohorts. Syria has drifted into a terrorist haven.

However, the United States cannot police the world – nor can it grit its teeth and endure continuous terrorist attacks as did President Clinton.

It is essential that other democratic nations besides Britain embrace the Bush Doctrine – France, Germany and Russia come to mind.

Benjamin Franklin gave us sage advice as our Patriots prepared to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776:

“We must all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers