Do we have the right to tell another country what type of government to run?

No.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R41677.pdf

 

Now this is a hard question to answer. On one hand yes, on the other no. Let me explain: Yes, because if we (and I mean every western power) increase the reach of democratic ideas around the world, we decrease the chance of wars. In history never has a democracy gone to war with another democracy. On the other hand: We can't march in and change systems without the people choosing the change. There are only two democracies in the world: France and USA. Everyone else was given democracy. Only the USA and France (repeatedly) fought for democracy and won it, hence they are the only people to value it. We simply cannot march into a country X and demand them to change their constitution to something more modern.

I think the western world ought to do what the US did in the 1940s and 1950s. They realized that Germany and Japan have to become future allies and they trained their elite people by giving them an education in America. The elite would run the country in 20 years and become great allies and leaders of their own countries. The would become allies of the US and remain allies to this day. I think this is the only way we can change societies from other countries. Imagine if 90% of all the politicians from Iran (geopolitical foe #1) were educated in the US and western Europe and actually witnessed first hand that democracy ain't that bad of an idea...

I think that this would make Iran a close ally much faster than all the boms and threads we have...

 

We have NO rights to tell them how to run their business, and likewise they have NO say in ours.

 

We do not have the right to tell any country how to run it's self. We can only get involved in their country as a friend and hope they change if they have bad human rights issues.

 

i agree with Meha up there, it is conditional. i don't think we should step in militarily, unless the country becomes violent to other countries, or starts slaughtering the masses, or starts trying to.... yah, conditions. however the educating their elite is a great idea (one i support much more than a military campaign). i believe the only way to get people to support other government styles is to let them experience them first hand. this allows them to make an informed decision. i'm pretty sure anyone who was born in a communist society, then lived in America after getting a taste of communism, would choose Democracy time and time again.

 

I voted yes. If anyone's using the 'how would you like it if china told you what to do?' argument, just stop. That's based on the premise that dictatorship is an equally valid system as democracy. it's not.
The 'let the people decide' is equally lost because the people aren't by definition deciding anything if they aren't a democracy.
Now, I'm not talking about invading, diplomacy works well.

 

Yes. whatevers in our own best interest.

 

I would say no, but I would say we have the right to tell them what type of government we will not tolerate.

 

ah yes. It might very well be so that the people of a given nation are indeed happy under a less democratic government, and then we shouldn't force democracy upon them.

 

we can do whatever the hell we want because we are America

 

Indeed you can, but should you? Alo, since im writing from my phone i accidentally liked your post. Now, doy get me wrong i kinda agree with you vut its not really worth a like imho, ive got reallu high standards for that. You can keep the like though

 

America should never get involved in other countries' affairs.