Can Democracy Thrive in the Middle East?

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You are right, but the causes are not outside but inside the Arab-Islamic polities. "the angry frustrated people" as you mention, are not the result of colonialism, imperialism, the US. It is exactly because there is no, as you say - "the key elements of democracy--rule of law, separation of powers, civil liberties, and basic quality of life." Remember Samuel Huntington's assertion, proven again and again: when you give the people free choice to elect, they choose the radical Islamic movements. This is what they know and recognize.

The result of "the angry frustrated people," is exactly the huge immigration of Arabs and Muslims to the West - to live in dignity; not to be humiliated and oppressed by the corrupt despotic regimes. The tragedy of the situation, that they, mainly the third generation, revolt precisely against the West and join the Muslim fanatic movements to eliminate the West instead of fighting with the goods.  

There is a civilinization process in many of the military regimes in the Middle East, and this is good. However, this does mean and do not lead yet to democratization.

So we do agree on the many issues inherent in the Middle East, but we separate on the causes. Democracy will come from inside, and there is not a sign or a clue for even the possibility of formalizing it, surely not from the Arab-Islamic authoritarian regime and patrimonial leadership, and even not the Middle Eastern surroundings.