"The Domino Theory of contagious Middle Eastern democracy is still a domino theory, and an even more tenuous one. The most important thing to remember about "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is that it must be discovered by and come directly from the people. We cannot "install" a democracy, for it by definition is supported by the popular will. The peoples of the Middle East must choose it themselves. If and when they do, we had better keep our hands in our pockets and not take it away if their elected government decides to nationalize their oil companies. Again."

This is bullshit. For instance, Japan is a democracy and S Korea is democracy and they were both "installed". In modern times the number of democracies is growing- it is spreading like a disease. Looking over the centuries of human culture, the spread of democracy is rapid and remarkable. And finally, show me one democracy in which the people chose it for themselves- that's simply a wrong headed myth. Small groups of people, make these decisions for the larger population of people. The People generally favor picking some personality [king/dicatorship- mostly some miltary leader] rather than choosing to be ruled by law. Now once, a small group of people have "installed and sold the idea" they can get The People supporting it- and why wouldn't they, it's in their best interest.