Why Democracy In Egypt Will Disappoint (And Possibly Threaten) Us

The current events in Egypt have prompted many in the United States to clamor for democratic elections. More than a few are advocating free and fair elections; pleading that the Egyptians should be able to select their own leaders. What is being lost in the discussion, is that a majority of Americans have a distorted view of the role of democracy. Because of this misunderstanding, and if democracy succeeds in Egypt, many Americans will be confused and disappointed with the nature and character of the government that materializes.

The reason for this confusion is that many people believe that democracy is "the goal", when democracy is actually a tool that can be used for good as well as evil. In fact, a simple democracy was something that the Founders soundly and forcefully rejected.

Fisher Ames - "A democracy is a volcano which conceals the fiery materials of its own destruction. These will produce an eruption and carry desolation in their way."

 Benjamin Rush - "A simple democracy is the Devil's own government."
  

John Adams - "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

What we find in America is a republic with many democratic elements. But even this form of government is not "good" in and of itself. Our Founders understood that the American Experiment would only work for a "moral and religious people" and that the government would take on the characteristics of the principles found in that religion.

John Adams - "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
  

Noah Webster - "Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican (i.e. representative) principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament, or the Christian religion."

Any form of democracy established in Egypt will take on the characteristics of the moral code of the people. The same can be said everywhere democracy is established. We are seeing the results of this truth in the frustrations of forming an Iraqi government, and it is exactly why democracy has failed to take hold in Afghanistan.

Many of our former presidents have reminded us, and rightfully so, that the soul of mankind yearns for freedom.

President Ronald Reagan said, "All men and women yearn for the freedom that God gave us all when he gave us free will."
  

President George W. Bush said, "The desire for freedom resides in every human heart. And that desire cannot be contained forever by prison walls, or martial laws, or secret police. Over time, and across the Earth, freedom will find a way."

What we often fail to appreciate is that the freedom we champion is a freedom based on Judeo-Christian principles. A freedom based on Islamic principles, or atheistic principles, or Buddhist principles will look very different.

Can we realistically expect that a freedom based on Judeo-Christian values is the kind of freedom that will be established in Egypt? If not, what is the value system commonly held by the people of Egypt? What is that value system based on, and what are the characteristics of that foundation? The answers to these questions will shape the kind of democracy that emerges in Egypt.

Unfortunately, in our rush to "democratize" Egypt, many do not realize that the freedom that emerges will reflect the principles found in the Qur'an and Shariah Law more than the ones found in the Old and New Testaments. We should be careful what we ask for . . . we may just get it.

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