A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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June 27, 2007Would the CIA have Funded the American Revolution?If Ben Franklin or John Adams had delivered a proposal for supporting the Continental Congress to the CIA, here's what I think what would've happened, based on its lifetime performance: their request for support would've been denied. They would've been directed to redraft it as a request for pampheteering support. THAT proposal would've gone through. Instead, to oppose British tyranny, they would've chosen to support the Native American tribes looking meanest and nastiest in the office, just like the British did to us. I can't think of any time in the last century when the US govt has supported DEMOCRATIC revolutionaries. There've been a time or two, maybe, when revolutionaries told a convenient lie about wanting democracy, but if they believed that from the Nicaraguan Contras, they were utterly uninterested in the truth (yes - in Nicaragua at that time, there were groups interested in democratic revolution). The last example I can think of was the Panamanian revolutionaries, just over a century ago. That's hardly a comforting example, since it was pretty ethically casual - they were supported so TR could get a good deal on rights to build the Panama Canal. But at least they were democratic! Can you think of any more recent examples? No, the Northern Alliance were hardly democratic until AFTER they took over and got gobs of money to be democratic. We've supported the restorations of toppled democratic governments, and kept democratic governments in power. But when it came to supporting revolutionaries, we've strictly supported multiple, undemocratic scum as far as I can think of and have read. Every part of the CIA's strategy is wrong. First, a democratic group is better because they can bring the people on their side, giving you a much better hope of winning, the people of the country involved will like you instead of being annoyed, and the resulting regime will work much better with us and our alies. Second, you need to support just ONE or at most two such groups, because, let's face it, this is a MILITARY struggle, and wars are won by having the mostest get there the firstest; that's alot harder to arrange if your money is going to lots of little groups instead of one big, popular, revolutionary group. Third, the unethical have big disadvaantages in revolutions. Washington had the people on his side, won and established the first succesful democratic revolution in millenia because his soldiers and then his people rightly trusted him to not become just another king. Jefferson's aid to Simon Bolivar paid many dividends over the years. So why don't we do it anymore? This grumble was inspired by this post at Daniel Drezner's blog. Posted by Jon Kay at June 27, 2007 01:04 AMComments
The comment thread at Dan's says it all. First, read the NYT report. It doesn't support the notion that we blew the coup. You in fact laid down some facts in your earlier IR report that show the Cold War and political dynamics. I mentioned Iran in the comments of your last thread. Eisenhower made the call and given the options, history does not invalidate that decision. Thirty years and the Soviets and the religious extremists were denied influence and oil profits. The real failure was CIA reports demanding the US encourage reform before a revolution occurred. Carter was asleep at the wheel as much as Nixon and Kissinger. Back to your question. You are right about the record. We could have supported HCM in Viet Nam. We did bring Democracy to Japan and Germany, but this wasn't a CIA coup, nor did intelligence predict the coming storm. The Spanish American War didn’t really spur Democracy and one wonders what role the US had in the sinking of the Maine. Despite all the Bravado from Jefferson, Liberals have done little to instigate Democratic revolution. Perhaps the French Revolution left a bad taste. I think the problem lies partly in your question. As we can see in Gaza, Democracy alone cannot predict the growth of Liberal Democracy. This was the problem in the French Revolution. The Shah was the original promoter of Democracy and Liberalism. The nationalists then violated their own Constitution with their behavior in Parliament. The CIA failed in Cuba and did not really change any outcomes in Egypt. Intelligence failed to see Mao coming. While some point to Iraq as an example of trying to force Democracy, I do not agree. We certainly worked hard behind the lines in Eastern Europe to eventual wear the Soviets down, but this was to pit Democracy back in place as you mention. Maybe the CIA doesn't have the resources to lead a Democratic nationalist group from victory to Liberal Democracy. Carter started a movement in Afghanistan and it eventualled destroyed the WTC. Since "nuturing" Democracy to Liberal birth would require billions and military assistance, America say nyet. Just supporting a coup is no answer unless the regime is SO horrible or threatening to our interests. Perhaps the best way to foster Liberal Democracy is to get all pretending to support it, to sanction all who violate it and back indigenious Democratic groups with money and intelligence. That is perhaps the most peaceful solution. Daniel's take on Iran is absurd. 80% chance that Iran will voluntarily stop enrichment and give up the bomb? And my ex still whispers in her boyfriend's ear at night how much she still misses me. LOL A liitle bit along Jon's line. Posted by: Maxtrue at June 27, 2007 04:51 PMAnd what does the CIA do to alert the world to threats on Democracy? If the story is true, then why hasn't the CIA delivered intel to the American people and the world in an effort to secure a Democracy BEFORE it falls? Posted by: Maxtrue at June 29, 2007 10:38 AMMP3 Download |
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