Liberal Democracy

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (George Santayana- 1863-1952)

      "The twentieth century is brimming with events to be remembered and probably the most important is the Second World War (1939-1945), fought primarily to protect liberal democracy. Regrettably, many other wars occurred in that turbulent century for reasons other than to protect democracy. One thing we must remember is that our liberal democracy was not a gift from above but was earned by British, European and American citizens who struggled to limit the power of royalty, military and religious elites. Democracy is not a natural state for mankind and is continually under threat from those same elites probably even more so in the current century.

         Monotheistic religions do not subscribe to liberal democracy preferring blind obedience to church or mosque hierarchy. The Christian Church succeeded for centuries on this basis but is now weakened as many Christians question church dogma if not the Christian philosophy. The other major religion, Islam, is still cohesive maintaining traditional practices not subscribing to democracy.

          Islam challenges Christianity with the stated goal of becoming the only world religion. Historically Islam conquered Spain, large parts of Europe, northern Africa, India and elsewhere forcing the Caliphate on conquered populations.  Islam does not share power with kafir, namely Jews, Christians, Hindus and others, who are treated at best as second-class subjects and traditionally as slaves and concubines.

          Once more on the rise, Islam threatens Western (Christian) democratic nations. Radical Islamic sects are using oil money to support civil wars on Muslim lands and spreading their violent ideas into the west. In what has up till now been a peaceful migration of Muslims into western society some people fear the possibility liberal democracy will eventually be replaced by a radical Islamic Caliphate. Liberal democracy, already weakened as commerce replaces the principles of our forefathers, may be on the verge of collapse as now seems to be happening in America, England and several European countries. There are many examples of weakened societies conquered by invaders in the name of religion and driven by greed. Many of those societies were conquered by Christian invaders. Can leadership in Western Nations remember history and take action or is it too late to save our fragile liberal democracy?"