Democracy

Natan Sharansky argues that only with democracy can the middle east be pacified. The status-quo approach of coddling dictators is deeply flawed.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/article.asp?aid=11804074_1

This idea is correct. Given the absence of real democracy all around India, it is worth pondering if it shouldn't be India's objective as well to persuade and, if necessary force, our neighbors into political modernity.

Atal ji once said that nations cannot choose neighbors -- this was his rationale for "peace" with the Pakistani establishment. Could he have been more wrong? Why should strong nations have to accept their environment as a given? This is a reactive worldview.

Instead, strong nations should pro-actively enforce their democratic political standards on their neighbors. This is the only path to lasting peace.