Ollie Garchy
Active member
Americans on Promoting Democracy--Poll (September 29, 2005)
Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and Program on International Policy Attitudes.
A new poll finds that a majority of Americans reject the idea of using military force to promote democracy. Only 35% favored using military force to overthrow dictators. Less than one in five favored the US threatening to use military force if countries do not institute democratic reforms
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My question is simple: how many forum members feel that they actually contribute to or influence the foreign policy decisions of their governments?
We all read the papers and/or watch the news on tv. We are therefore marginally aware of current events. But, are we responsible for the actions of our governments? Do we have any influence other than the occasional vote every so often?
Historians understand that government officials often conduct their business behind closed doors. The records of these deliberations (if any are made) are subsequently either destroyed or deposited in a closed archive. The "sensitivity" of this material determines when the public is given access to the stuff. In general, most of the documents are declassified about 20 or 30 years after the event. The best material sits around for nearly 100 years. Yes, some WWI and WWII documents are still closed.
Without access to the documents, how do we even know what our governments are doing? How can we "poorly informed" masses be held responsible for their actions? Should we question the actions of governments? Are we responsible?
http://www.cfr.org/publication/8932/americans_on_promoting_democracypoll_september_29_2005.html
Chicago Council on Foreign Relations and Program on International Policy Attitudes.
A new poll finds that a majority of Americans reject the idea of using military force to promote democracy. Only 35% favored using military force to overthrow dictators. Less than one in five favored the US threatening to use military force if countries do not institute democratic reforms
----------
My question is simple: how many forum members feel that they actually contribute to or influence the foreign policy decisions of their governments?
We all read the papers and/or watch the news on tv. We are therefore marginally aware of current events. But, are we responsible for the actions of our governments? Do we have any influence other than the occasional vote every so often?
Historians understand that government officials often conduct their business behind closed doors. The records of these deliberations (if any are made) are subsequently either destroyed or deposited in a closed archive. The "sensitivity" of this material determines when the public is given access to the stuff. In general, most of the documents are declassified about 20 or 30 years after the event. The best material sits around for nearly 100 years. Yes, some WWI and WWII documents are still closed.
Without access to the documents, how do we even know what our governments are doing? How can we "poorly informed" masses be held responsible for their actions? Should we question the actions of governments? Are we responsible?
http://www.cfr.org/publication/8932/americans_on_promoting_democracypoll_september_29_2005.html