Michael Ignatieff's quite long, but fastinating article in the Magazine section of the NYTs today not only traces the history of American democracy and Democratic/Republican party politics, but raises some critical questions about the nation's place in history in spreading democracy around the world and in Iraq today. It is interesting that during the Cold War Republicans were more cautious than Democrats, but now the roles have switched, in some respects. He also relates this to the different vision liberals and conservatives have regarding the type of democracy we should have in the U.S., and the role of religion in influencing contemporary Republican politics in spreading democracy abroad.
I'm going to have to read it more carefully a few more times to absorb everything he is trying to say, but I would recommend it as a very thought provoking article as we enter the July 4th weekend.
Who Are Americans to Think That Freedom Is Theirs to Spread? By MICHAEL IGNATIEFF
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/26/magazine/26EXCEPTION.html?pagewanted=1&8hpib