Argument Quote by Andrew Sullivan
“I actually bought the argument that if we democratized Iraq, we could create a space for venting some of the stuff that's going on in the Middle East in these autocratic regimes that is expressing itself through jihadism, because it has nowhere else to express itself.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion piece: “Democratizing Iraq,” 2008
Democratizing Iraq could provide an outlet for extremist expression, reducing jihadist violence by offering political participation.
In simple terms: Democracy might reduce extremism by giving voice.
Key Takeaway
Consider political reforms to reduce violence.
Themes
politics
extremism
democracy
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
opinion
policy-oriented
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community dialogue
- education programs
Key Concepts
political science
conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- Can political inclusion curb jihadism?
- What other factors influence extremism?
A Different Perspective
Democracy alone may not stop radicalization.
