The Daily Background

Associated Press:

Americans question the ability of the United States to create democracy in other countries, and are divided on whether successful efforts could even make the U.S. safer, according to a poll released Thursday.

Only 36 percent of those surveyed by the Public Agenda Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index believe the U.S. can help spread democracy _ a major objective for the Bush administration in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.

“People do regard it as a desirable goal,” Public Agenda Chairman Daniel Yankelovich said. “But from a common sense point of view, both Democrats and Republicans have concluded that democracy is something that countries come to on their own.”

Amen. Of course, I think that limited efforts at pro-democracy activity abroad can be good in some cases. But I think that in many cases, what’s more effective is not supporting bad regimes– militarily, economically, and barring corporate interests. Among the other interesting results of the poll:

A slight majority, 53 percent, said there would be less global conflict as more countries adopt democratic systems, but 73 percent worry that U.S. actions in the Middle East are indirectly aiding the recruitment of terrorists.

Only 22 percent believe the U.S. government can do “a lot” to create democracy in Iraq.

How rare it is that we have reasons to be proud these days. But I’m proud of Americans people on this. Full article.

Filed under: Polls, Z-TDB Blog