Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to History

But where did Saddam come from?
Robert — (archived)

I think you overemphasize the role of unique individuals in history. Saddam didn't become dictator of Iraq because he was the only brutal nasty bastard in Iraq. He became dictator at the end of an intense Darwinian selection process that proved him to be just incrementally nastier than the number-two contender whose corpse he stepped on. The process didn't end just because he gained power; those assassination attempts you mention proves that there is an endless supply of vicious bloodthirsty wannabes in Iraq. The current civil war confirms it again.

We need to examine the situation that brought forth Saddam or, if not him, somebody just like him. The current civil war is being fought over who will take over the mantle of dictator--it's not about parliamentary procedures and elections. Iraq is the birthplace of dictators, not democracies.

Below on this thread RobVG asked a reasonable question that provoked a long reply from me, about the situation in Iraq and why it tends toward tyranny and away from democracy; and where it might go. I'll let that post provide the rest of my answer instead of repeating it here.

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