Bushisms

1. Bushisms • You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror." • “I’m the commander — see, I don’t need to explain — I do not need to explain why I say things. That’s the interesting thing about being president.” • “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”

2. Authoritarianism "I'm going to put people in my place, so when the history of this administration is written at least there's an authoritarian voice saying exactly what happened." --George W. Bush, on what he hopes to accomplish with his memoir

3. Democracy vs. Authoritarianism • Liberal democracies sometimes ignore the will of the people to serve the common good • Many often believe that authoritarian systems are unconcerned with the will of the people but this is not necessarily true • Authoritarian governments often claim that order and security are more important than freedom and will make decisions in the interests of the people

4. To what extent are government actions that ignore the will of the people justified? • Authoritarianism – describes a political system the gives authority to an elite group that may or may not rule in the interests of the people • Examples include oligarchies, military dictatorships, ideological one-party states, and monarchies

5. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.” – Joseph Stalin

6. Oligarchy • A form of government in which political power rests with a small elite segment of society • Often controlled by politically powerful families who pass their influence to their children • Russia has been called an oligarchy because of the power that many of the current leaders gained from their associations with the communist party

7. Iron law of oligarchy • Some scholars believe that any political system will eventually develop into an oligarchy “organizations originally idealistic and democratic eventually come to be dominated by a small, self-idealistic group of people who achieve power and responsibility. This can occur in large organizations because it becomes physically impossible for everyone to get together every time a decision needs to be made. Consequently, a small group is given the responsibility of making decisions.” – Robert Michels

8. The United States • Some consider the United States to be an oligarchic democracy • Massive amount of political influence and capital needed to run for national office • Without strong associations with the Republican or Democratic parties it is almost impossible to run a successful campaign. • A small group of political, media and economic elites have enormous influence

9. For example, the names Bush and Clinton have featured prominently in every presidential election in the united states since 1988. • Few people, however, would argue that the United States is not democratic

10. One Party States • System where only one party forms the government and no other parties are permitted to run candidates • Some principles of democracy exist, but the absence of choice eliminates the liberal principle of freedom of choice • One party states are often communist states called people’s republic, democratic republic, or socialist republic

11. One Party States • Supporters of one party states often argue for the strength of community and unity that a single party can give -argue that a multiparty system creates too many divisions - Divisions in government can impede or slow political and economic decision making Eg. Comrade, brother

12. One Party States and the Will of the People • While people do not have the option to choose between different parties, in some one party states people can vote for the candidate to lead the party • Example: Fascist Italy – citizens could choose between candidates to rule but only those who ran within the fascist party

13. Criticisms • Not a true democracy because voters have a very limited choice • One party systems can easily disregard previous laws • Elements of democratic government are designed to legitimize the government to other countries

14. Military Dictatorships • A form of government where political power rests in the military leadership • This system has many examples in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East • Military dictatorships can be official or unofficial and mixed forms may exist where the military exerts a strong influence over the government

15. Military Dictatorship • Often, in this political system, power is achieved through a coup d’etat (the government is overthrown by the military) • Military dictatorships often justify their power as a way to control political instability or “dangerous ideologies” • Tend to portray themselves as neutral third parties in times of political turmoil

16. Despite these claims, most military dictatorships must be forced to relinquish power • Example: PervezMusharraf took control of Pakistan in 1999 • He claimed that the president of Pakistan was undermining the constitution and the country needed to be saved • He wasn’t forced out of power until 2007

17. Techniques of Authoritarian Governments • Vision • Propaganda • Controlled Participation • Directing Public Discontent • Terror

18. Vision • Refers to what a country could be like if led by a leader who could obtain the vision • Hitler – strong nationalist vision of a united and strengthened German Empire • Hitler achieved power through legitimate means • 84.6 % of the electorate voted for him • People of Germany saw in him a strong leader with a viable vision to take them out of economic turmoil

19. Stalin – like Hitler, Stalin consolidated his power with a strong nationalist vision • While many communists at the time believed in permanent revolution (spreading communism throughout the world), Stalin wanted to focus on strengthening the country internally • Stalin’s vision included a program to transform the agrarian economy into a modern industrial economy • Series of 5 year plans designed to increase agricultural output to fuel industrial growth were introduced

20. In order to implement the 5 year plans farms were collectivized in opposition to the landowners • As a result, millions of Soviet citizens, especially in the Ukraine, starved to death or were killed

21. “Have the stresses of the war been as bad to you personally as carrying through the policy of the Collective Farms?” To which Stalin replied: “Oh, no, the Collective Farm policy was a terrible struggle … Ten million [he said, holding up his hands]. It was fearful. Four years it lasted. It was absolutely necessary.” – Winston Churchill • What does this say about the will of the people and the common good?

22. Propaganda • Most governments, democratic or dictatorial, use propaganda in some form. • “Propaganda is the deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behavior to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist.” – Propaganda and Persuasion

23. Propaganda • Propaganda can be spread through the news media, posters, testimonials, the arts, and a country’s education system. • The best propaganda is done subtly so people don’t realize they are being subject to a one sided reality • Under Stalin, artistic expression was controlled • Socialist realism was the acceptable art form • Its purpose was to glorify the regime and the communist revolution in concrete terms

24. Soviet Proganda

25. War of Ideologies through Propaganda

26. Language – • George W. Bush called Cuba a “tropical Gulag” and a “failed regime” • Posters and billboards in Cuba denounce the U.S. and it’s policies

27. Controlled Participation • Population allowed to feel as if they are contributing to the country by spying on subversives, attending rallies, or becoming a “block boss” • Nuremberg rallies in Nazi Germany were large, carefully orchestrated events that had a mesmerizing effect on the participants

28. Nuremburg Rally

29. In 1966 Mao Zedong instituted the Cultural Revolution in China • Thousands of youth were recruited to spread the message of communism around the country • Known as the Red Guards, these young people travelled to schools and universities to attack traditional culture • Museums, art, old books, temples were destroyed

30. Directing Public Discontent • Provides people with an enemy to unleash their frustrations on • Show trials, foreign threat, internal threat • Hitler used anti-Semitism • Stalin used show trials to convict dissidents and send them to the Gulags • They were called show trials because people were charged with a manufactured crime. People who refused to confess were tortured and evidence was fabricated to “prove” their guilt.

31. Terror • A technique used to influence the will of the people • Dissidents or suspected dissidents often “disappear” in some regimes • In Argentina between 1976 and 1983, 30 000 people vanished. • Gestapo – Nazi Germany • Stasi – Communist East Germany • KGB – Communist Soviet Union

32. Key Issues Faced by Democracies • Should political decisions be made by everyone or a small group ? • Should minority rights be protected? Majority rights limited? • How much dissent should be allowed in a democratic society?

33. SADDAM HUSSEIN

34. SADDAM “ONE WHO CONFRONTS” • 1963- First came to power amid Ba’athist revolution • New regime ousted within the year & Saddam was imprisoned in 1964 • 1967 – escaped from prison

35. HUSSEIN RISE TO POWER • 1968 coup brought Ba'athists power . Ba'ath's named Saddam vice president. • strongman of govt & was de facto ruler of Iraq some years before formally came to power in 1979. • slowly consolidated power over govt & Ba'ath party. • Relations with party members carefully cultivated & gained support within party. • Iraq's weak & elderly President became unable to execute duties, Saddam takes on greater role

36. Ba’athist party1972-79 • Nationalize Western oil companies • Wanted modernization & industrialization • Mechanized agriculture • Improved programs for literacy & free education • Free hospitalization • Subsidized farmers

37. GAINS FORMAL POWER- PURGES • 1979-Saddam president. • convened assembly of Ba'ath party leaders which ordered videotaped • claim found spies & conspirators within Ba'ath Party & read out names of members thought could oppose him. • members labeled "disloyal" removed from room one by one to face firing squad. • After list read, Saddam congratulated those still seated in room for past & future loyalty.

38. ONE PARTY DICTATORSHIP • Full political participation restricted only to members of Ba'ath Party • impossible to change government. • not allowed to assemble legally unless to express support for government. • Iraqi government controlled establishment of political parties, regulates internal affairs and monitors activities.

39. PROPAGANDA • Portrayed himself as a devout Muslim • Built mosques to show he co-ops with religious segments of society • Murals of Saddam praying towards Mecca • Gigantic framed portraits & enormous statues • Pictured in Bedouin costume (clothing of peasants) & suits = image of modern leader respectful of past

40. PROPAGANDA • 2002 REFERENDUM • 100% vote that he should continue to lead Iraq • 100% turnout • He was the only candidate on ballot • Voting was mandatory

41. NATIONALISM • Saddam refers to glorious past – Islamic Period when Baghdad capital of Arab world • Envisioned Arab world led by Iraq again • Wars vs. Iran in 1979- Shiites sympathetic to Iran’s new leader Ayatollah • 1991 war vs. Kuwait • 2003- Gulf War II

42. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS • Human rights organizations documented executions, torture, and rape • 2002-no improvement in human rights crisis. • condemned government for "systematic, widespread & extremely grave violations of human rights & international humanitarian law". • human rights violations against women. • prostitutes beheaded, took place in front of family members, including children. • heads of victims publicly displayed near signs reading, "For the honor of Iraq." 130 women killed in this way, but actual number probably much higher.

43. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS • human rights violations directed against children. • as young as 5 recruited into "Saddam's Cubs," & indoctrinated to adulate Hussein & denounce own family members. • children subjected to military training, includes cruelty to animals. • parents of children executed if object to this treatment, and in some cases, children themselves imprisoned.

44. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS • 1994 severe penalties, including amputation, branding & death penalty for offenses such as theft, corruption, currency speculation & military desertion. • 2003 several mass graves found containing several thousand bodies • dead believed to have died in 1991 uprising against Saddam • after invasion, numerous torture centers found in security offices & police stations • equipment found included hooks for hanging people by hands for beatings, devices for electric shock • torture used to improve performance of Iraqi soccer team.

45. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS • Police checkpoints prevent citizens from traveling abroad without government permission & expensive exit visas. • Before traveling, citizen had to post collateral. • Iraqi women not travel outside of country without escort of male relative. • activities of citizens living inside Iraq who received money from relatives abroad were closely monitored.

46. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS • 1988-extermination against Kurdish • Kurdish town of Halabja – 5000 killed • Other attacks - death of at least 50,000 (some estimate 100,000), many women & children. • use of chemical weapons -Sarin, mustard gas & nerve agents • arbitrary imprisoning of tens of thousands of women, children, & elderly people for months in conditions of extreme deprivation, • forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of villagers after demolition of homes, & destruction of 2000 villages along with schools, mosques, farms, & power stations.

47. Human Rights cont… • 1991, after Gulf War, cracked down in Kurdish region • Estimates of deaths range from 40,000 to 100,000 for Kurds, and 60,000 to 130,000 for Shi'ites. • 100,000 Kurds exiled since 1991

48. Anfal Campaign • an anti-Kurdish campaign led by the Iraqi regime of Hussein between 1986 and 1989

49. ANFAL CAMPAIGN • headed by Ali Hasan al-Majid, a cousin of Hussein. • campaign included use of ground offensives, aerial bombing, systematic destruction of settlements, mass deportation, concentration camps, firing squads, and chemical warfare, which earned al-Majid the nickname of "Chemical Ali". • The attacks were part of a long-standing campaign that destroyed almost every Kurdish village in Iraq -- along with a centuries-old way of life -- and displaced at least a million of the country's estimated 3.5 million Kurdish population. • Independent sources estimate 50,000 to more than 100,000 deaths; the Kurds claim about 182,000 people were killed. • Amnesty International collected the names of more than 17,000 people who had "disappeared" during 1988. • The campaign has been characterized as genocidal in nature, notably before a court in The Hague.

50. ANFAL CAMPAIGN CONT… • During the Anfal campaign, the Iraqi government: • spirited away or killed 182,000 Iraq Kurds (figures are hard to estimate because of the scale of destruction) • destroyed about 4,000 villages in Iraqi Kurdistan • destroyed 1,754 schools, 270 hospitals, 2,450 mosques, 27 churches • wiped out around 90% of Kurdish villages in targeted areas.