Reply #36: All too often, our demonization of "dictators" is tragically self-fulfilling

[RufusTFirefly]

It pains me the way the U.S. Gov't repeatedly sides with the Bad Guy in these situations. We should be on the side of popular revolutions. But American corporations drive our foreign policy, not American ideals.

What happens seems almost inevitable. The poor and oppressed in the country are well aware of the U.S.'s attempts to undermine their leader and thus redouble their resolve to exalt and defend him. He ceases to be a regular leader. Instead, he becomes an icon in the struggle for independence and the fight against imperialism.

Meanwhile, the leader becomes justifiably paranoid and grows repressive, seeking to fend off American-sponsored attempts to overthrow him. At the same time, it takes someone with an extraordinary strength of character not to succumb to the adulation of his citizens and start believing he is larger than life.

Also, as the need for security increases, the economic policies that often made the leader so popular in the first place are diluted. Domestic discontent grows. Understandably. Snubbed by the U.S., the leader is often forced to look elsewhere for trading partners and strategic economic alliances. By necessity, those allies are often other countries the U.S. detests.

We choke the life out of movements that echo our own revolution.

Barring a miracle, the leader ultimately becomes exactly what we said he was.

It's tragic. It really makes me sick at heart to watch time and time again.