Spain....Just some ruminating about comparisons.

[Pacifist Patriot]

<caveat> Overly simplistic so keep that in mind.

Could Spain in the 20th century serve as an important lesson for the United States and the rest of the world?

Consider:

- A polarized split between progressives and reactionaries resulted in a Civil War.

- The Civil War resulted in a repressive fascist regime.

HOWEVER

Left mostly alone (shunned would be one way to describe it)... Spain has developed into a progressive democratic country with a reasonably stable economy and declining unemployment. (Sort of a member of the G8 by membership in the EU.)

Now there is no denying that Spain opening up to U.S. military bases and the country's entry into the EU aided its economic miracle, BUT...no invasion was necessary by an outside country to replace a murderous dictator with a puppet democracy. Yes, Franco's softening in later years helped too.

I guess I'm rambling around two thoughts.

1. The growing polarization between progressives and neocons in this country is making me extremely nervous...are we heading down the road to Civil War?

2. No one will ever convince me that the invasion of Iraq was to liberate the Iraqi people. Oil, money, oil, money, oil, money. Too many historical examples exist to prove that forcing democracy doesn't work.

Just had to get that out there. Thanks for listening.