The other day Gee and I were debating the value of R.J. Rummel's magnum opus. iI made some vague objevctions, which after doing a bit of research i am now prepared to defend.
Rummel claims that no two "democracies" have ever fought each other. However, I count at least 12 attempts by one democratic government to invade or overthrow another by force, since 1945. (a loose definition of war, to be sure.) Here goes the list:
Ecuador and Peru (1995); Israel and Lebanon (2 times), Honduras and Nicaragua (3 times); US and Nicaragua (Contra war); US and Chile (1973); Senegal and Guinea-Bissau (c. 1996)., Ethiopia and Eritrea (current), India and Pakistan (1948), Belgium against the Lumumbist regime in the Congo (1960)
a further 4 conflicts pitted semi-democratic regimes (which had strong popular participation in government though perhaps only one party) against otehr democracies: Tanzania and Comoros (1977), Tanzania and teh Seychelles (1977), Vietnam and teh US, and Laos against Thailand (1975).
Given this history, I think taht this argument of rummel's must be questioned.
what say you all, especially Gee?
