Democracy?

Is Democracy only a luxuary to be had by the most stable countries? or could it be a means to an end in conflict area?

Why not have a referendum in Kashmir to let the Kashmiris decide weather they want to be part of India or Pakistan, or be independent. Isn't that what freedom and democracy are about? Or how about in Palestine? Both Isrealis and Palestinains could vote on so called "ROad maps" to peace.

Democracy and government are no synoyms and are almost contradictory. What the government wants and what the people want are in conflict many times. The US, the world's self-proclaimed leading democracy, has never had a nationwide referendum about any issue.

It seems that in instances when democracy would result in something other than what serves the purposes of the government, then the authorities side-step democratic procedures. They only permit the people to use their power when both results are acceptable to the government.

merde!