South of the Border Democracies

"The democracies found south of the border are largely the “illiberal”, elected governments that use the authority of their office to rob and pillage their nation, while establishing solid patronage systems. Mexico, for example, emerged in 2000 from 71 years of single party rule, after countless elections that may as well have been run by Hosni Mubarak. Election fraud was rampant, and vote buying a cherished tradition. Unfortunately , Mexico is in real danger of seeing the return of that party- the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, or Institutional Revolutionary Party. While Vicente Fox has not enjoyed much success, the return of the PRI would send more Mexicans north than any guest worker program. Castro is still in power, no matter how ill he might be. Chavez, who rules over a land amazingly rich in oil resources but nevertheless with a large percentage of the population living below U.N established poverty guidelines, manages to remain popular by thumbing his nose at the United States. Let us not forget that he too has little claim to legitimate rule . (Although to be fair, his act may be wearing a little thin south of the border.) Bolivia, once rich in minerals and now holding the largest natural gas reserves in the Latin America, is on the brink of civil war as indigenous groups unite behind Evo Morales (the aforementioned new Che) and the Bolivians of European descent living in the east (where the gas is) threaten to breakaway."

---Dr. DeMarche

To see the rest of the good Dr.'s post go to American Future. Dr. DeMarche has just recently quit posting at his site, The Daily DeMarche and now will be posting on occasion at American Future. Dr. DeMarche is a member of the State Department working overseas as a Foreign Service Officer and has provided some good insight with his inside knowledge and experience. I, for one, am glad that he will still be doing some blogging, giving us a perspective we may not otherwise have. Thanks, Dr. D.