trickyy

it seems that discussing the usage of words can be called semantics. but i guess i should have left that alone, even as a joke.

perhaps i'm using the term "democracy" too loosely. [EDIT: actually webster says i'm fine] what i actually mean, but don't feel like saying every time, is an American/European style of leadership (more similarities than differences here). given that the idea of other countries conforming to this general model has been called "democracy" in various media for a while, it seems that the term would be understood in the context of this discussion as well. should i call this the occidental-style gov't, or is there a better term out there?

regarding the question of the thread, i gave a two minute summary of my interpretation of our actions...basically economic and (militarily) strategic reasons. if our similarites with european and japanese gov'ts is not the reason for strong/flexible trade relations, and certain powerful countries should not be, based upon their systems of gov't, primary concerns of our intelligence community, enlighten me.

EDIT: and since my last post was unclear, i did not mean to imply that the ideas of democracy and captialism, or whatever you want to call these terms, are somehow mystically linked. i meant that instituting democratic gov'ts -elsewhere- makes it easier for us to do business -elsewhere-.