Tyrants should be left free to tyrannise their own people

Tyrants should be left free to tyrannise their own people

14 Sep 2005

The panel debate the motion: Tyrants should be left free to tyrannise their own people. Chaired by Jonthan Freedland.

Arguing for the motion are Edward Luttwak and Lord Skidelsky.

Edward Luttwak uses the example of Sicily as a place of strong resistance to foreign intervention or liberation. He then discusses Iraq, exploring the different ways in which the invasion has been seen by Iraqis, above all stressing that democracy in Iraq is not understood in Western terms. He believes that the one thing you cannot achieve with military force is political change.

Lord Skidelsky claims that, contrary to the opinion of James Rubin, we are indeed talking about military intervention, since sanctions do not put pressure on tyrants. He doesn't believe that tyrants should be allowed to get away with anything, especially genocide, but thinks there are many ways of bringing pressure against tyrants, including sanctions.

Arguing against the motion are James Rubin and Ian Buruma.

James Rubin asserts that this debate is about whether one should do anything at all to prevent tyranny, not just about whether we should intervene militarily. He believes the debate is not about the Bush administration, and has nothing to do with whether you like George Bush's aim of spreading democracy. Rubin suggests that if you supported sanctions on South Africa against apartheid, or support sanctions against the military junta of Burma, then you have to vote against the motion.

Ian Buruma says the panel all agree on a number of things, including the opinion that Iraq was a mistake. He reminds the audience that the West also has a history of toppling democratically elected leaders. However, he argues, not only are there other ways of getting rid of dictators, and that American support/ intervention is often supported by local people and can achieve success. He says we cannot act aggressively against all tyrants (not dictators) in the pursuit of democracy, but do need to take action against some. He ends with one simple word of warning: Munich.

First Vote: 178 For, 291 Against, 224 Don't Know

Final Vote: 245 For, 393 Against, 78 Don't Know

The motion is defeated by 148 votes.