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Oil Driving 'Democratic Recession'

High prices, US inaction let 'bad guys' run amok: Friedman

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2008 11:25 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A "democratic recession" is threatening to roll back freedom around the globe, Thomas Friedman writes today in the New York Times. The high price of oil—which facilitates authoritarian rule—combined with the loss of US ability to effectively promote democracy means dictators have freer reign and freedom suffers, Friedman writes.

In particular, Friedman singles out Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and his ally, South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, as "bad guys" who "are taking advantage" of the erosion of American influence. The columnist also blasts (again) Hillary Clinton's and John McCain's plans for a gas-tax holiday as "another little nail in the coffin of democracy around the world."

What Mugabe has done to his country is one of the most grotesque acts of misgovernance ever, Friedman writes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
"What Mugabe has done to his country is one of the most grotesque acts of misgovernance ever," Friedman writes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
As the price of oil goes up, the pace of freedom goes down. As the price of oil goes down, the pace of freedom goes up, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes.
"As the price of oil goes up, the pace of freedom goes down. As the price of oil goes down, the pace of freedom goes up," New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman writes.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File)
The US is turning a blind eye as South African President Thabo Mbeki teams with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, a fellow anti-colonialist, to enslave their fellow Africans, Friedman argues.
The US is turning a blind eye as South African President Thabo Mbeki teams with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, a fellow anti-colonialist, to enslave their fellow Africans, Friedman argues.   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
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Info on the report that Friedman cites
Freedom House

More from Larry Diamond
MinnPost.com

 
Hillary Clinton • John McCain • Robert Mugabe • democracy • US foreign policy • Thabo Mbeki • oil price • Thomas Friedman • gas tax holiday

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