McCain Calls for ‘League of Democracies’
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James Joyner | Thursday, October 25, 2007 |
I was able to get in the first question and followed up on this idea, asking whether he was talking about a “NATO Plus” organization or something else. McCain replied that he envisioned something more along the lines of ASEAN or the G-8, a somewhat formal IGO that would have regular meetings but no standing forces. In follow-up, I inquired whether he thought this meant that NATO and the UN Security Council, as presently constituted, were failures. He said that, no, those organizations have their purposes but that NATO was a military alliance whereas his League of Democracies would focus mostly on non-military solutions such as economic sanctions, trade, diplomacy, and public relations.
The idea strikes me as a good one, although I’d prefer to see the use of existing organizations, notably NATO and the G-8, to achieve these ends. While NATO was formed as a collective defense alliance, that role was all but obviated by the collapse of the Soviet Union. Transforming it into a collective security organization that marshals economic and diplomatic power, in addition to military, is essential.
The main advantage of McCain’s proposal is that it includes states not currently in NATO such as Japan and Australia. But, aside from not fitting in with the “North Atlantic” theme, there’s certainly no reason they couldn’t be brought into NATO.
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
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It is great to know that a major presidential candidate is getting his ideas for international relations from DC Comics.
The Justice League vs. The Axis of Evil.
McCain is brilliant.
I think in this case it would be more of a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
I was thinking more A League of Their Own.
It's hard to see what this organization would do, save for serving as another source of friction between these nations.
I agree that we need something other than the UN.
You might be better off starting with ASEAN and inviting in others. A single NATO partner has a blanket veto, much like the UN Security Council.
Another problem - What constitutes a Democracy. is Russia a Democracy? Iran? Who decides?
McCain must have a new minder. He seems to be saying the right things. I is a pity about his record.
I have long said that part of the problem with the UN is that it legitimizes thugs and dictators and gives them too much power. It is essentially a good ol' boys network for the currupt around the world and they do protect their own.
Another problem - What constitutes a Democracy. is Russia a Democracy? Iran? Who decides?
I do think this is the real problem though. Just because a country holds an election that doesn't mean it is really a democracy. There are going to have to be other criteria for deciding who gets in and who doesn't, and who gets to pick that criteria?
You might be better off starting with ASEAN and inviting in others.
You should probably take a closer look at the current membership of ASEAN.
But, aside from not fitting in with the “North Atlantic” theme, there’s certainly no reason they couldn’t be brought into NATO.
Being North Atlantic adjacent doesn't seem to be a current requirement for NATO membership. Less than half of the member states have a border on the Atlantic.
I notice he didn't include China in the new club. Particularly in dealing with Iran, China might be more useful than Australia. Just a thought.
