The Extinction of Liberals in Kuwait

02/02/07 00:50 Filed in: Politics

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According to Amir Taheri, an Iranian journalist in the National Review Magazine, liberalism in Kuwait is extinct. Taheri believes that: “The term "liberal" has assumed two meanings. In the American sense, liberalism means a cocktail of state intervention in the economy, a comprehensive welfare system and a good dose of political correctness — all with a bit of anti-Americanism as the cherry on top. In its European sense, liberalism means limiting the role of the state, an emphasis on individual rights and private enterprise, and support for free trade in a global market economy. In both senses, liberalism also means not only tolerance for but also active encouragement of alternative lifestyles, support for equal rights for all minorities (especially gays and lesbians), and a belief in the relativity of cultural and religious values. Kuwaiti "liberals" do not believe in any of that and did not offer anything resembling a liberal social, political, and economic program. In fact, the reason for their failure is that they were not liberal at all.”
Mr. Taheri did a questionnaire to prove his point and some of the questions addressed were:
1) Would they campaign to abolish polygamy and temporary marriages? Would they support equal rights for women in divorce and children's custody? No.
2) Would they accept gay and lesbian couples as legitimate? Again: No.
3) What about abolishing state subsidies that eat up a third of the oil revenue? No.
“It only takes twenty years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.” -Robert Anton Wilson
Does liberalism truly exist? Or do you agree with what Mr. Taheri states, “It never existed?”
Let me have your views.
www.nationalreview.com
Posted By:
AJk
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/asam/376262930/
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