You cannot introduce democracy to a people. This has been the arrogant flaw in our foreign policy for 60 years now. If the people do not rise up and overthrow their own dictator so that they feel they now own their country's government, any government you attempt to grant them is just another externally imposed condition.
By attempting to introduce democracy to other nations, we have actually set back the natural evolution of a suppressed people turning to it after they overthrow their despots.
Japan, Much of Eastern Europe, A few african coutries, Turkey to some extent too but that was more imposed from the inside based on a western model.
I know what your saying though but your overall statement about not being able to import democracy isn´t really true. You can´t really impose in on a multiethnic contructed state like Iraq through the barrel of a gun. Though I do think in the long rune (20-30years) Iraq will be a much better country than under saddam.
