The Strategic Goal - Liberalism or Democracy?

Morocco will shortly abolish the death penalty. To most observers it is counterintuitive that an Arab monarchy should take such a liberal stance. The recent furore over botched executions conducted by the US-supported “democratic” Government of Iraq brings this development into even sharper contrast and serves to further undermine the alleged value of “instilling democracy” as a strategic goal in the continuing fight against terror.Despite the efforts expended attempting to justify the invasion of Iraq on the basis of its alleged WMD programs and ties to Al Qaeda there should be no doubt the real motivating force behind the strategy was the belief that imposition of democracy in the heart of the Arab would produce greater liberalism. Unfortunately, those who designed the strategy confused the cause for the effect and the actual result has been far from the intent. The focus of effort was on form as opposed to function. Thus the “Bremer-fication” of Iraq wasted millions of dollars creating “democratic” institutions instead of promoting liberal principles and preserving liberal forces. In the end, we find illiberal forces have manipulated the democratic structures to their advantage.In cultures that reject the central organizing principle of democracy – the primacy of the individual – there may be an inherent rejection of democracy but there is not necessarily an inherent rejection of liberal thought. The history of Islam is replete with periods of enlightenment fuelled by the powerful leadership of benevolent despots who used power to encourage liberal thought and diversity without creating “democratic” vehicles for misuse by illiberal forces.Morocco and Jordan are both led by powerful monarchs. Both kings have religious and political legitimacy based on lineages that lead directly back to the Prophet Mohammed. Interestingly, King Mohammed VI and King Abdullah are also the most progressive and liberal rulers in the Arab world (one could also include Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai). And while they have strong security regimes that will repress any attempt by illiberal forces to manipulate the expanding freedoms they have granted their people they continue to broaden the liberal nature of the societies they lead. The US should be focusing more effort on the expansion of liberalism and strengthening liberal forces in the Middle East than the expansion of democracy.