From a Few Iraqis, a Word to Libyans on Liberation

Democracy is not just the absence of oppression, but that it also involves challenging concepts of tolerance, compromise and civic responsibility yet to take root in Iraq, or in Libya. What emerged in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s government was a society of everyone for themselves, individually and in small groups, grabbing for what they could get — literally, through looting, and eventually through the political process. This has made many Iraqis weary of the chaos of Iraqi-style democracy. Increasingly, they want a strong hand — elected by the people — to wield power. Some advice: Do not trust expatriates who rush back to stake a claim in the new government. Avoid a parliamentary system. And do not ostracize members of the former regime, as happened in Iraq under the so-called de-Baathification policy. Libyans should be wary of freedom of speech. In Iraq, they are now free to express themselves, which they could not do under Saddam Hussein. But this right is almost useless because the government is not responsive to the public.