Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Can I help you?

A survey
  (+11)(+11)
(+11)
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This is a simple idea, and would probably be hard to carry out, but I am going to post it anyway so when it eventually gets done I will have secured bragging rights.

Some countries need help. Some countries don’t need help. Some countries want help. Some countries don’t want help.

Knowing that, it’s probably a good idea to ask what the situation is before you stick your nose (and a gazillion dollars) into someone else’s business.

If a strong and well-intentioned country is interested in helping another country there should be a procedure, protocol, or etiquette involved with it.

This Etiquette might involve importing a highly guarded surveying team to actually poll the citizens; it might involve a secret ballot, or telling the country too all cough once if there’s trouble.

I don’t know, it’s just an idea, and hopefully not an offensive one, please delete this for me if it’s inappropriate.

bobofthefuture, Nov 03 2004

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       It's been a long time since I have seen you post here, not so long for you, of course. Welcome back. No, it's a good idea and you haven't worded it like a lets all, so...+
sartep, Nov 03 2004
  

       Oddly enough, I believe your idea is baked. It may be called diplomacy. That's where leaders talk to each other privately, before they go chest-thumping in public and start shooting wars they don't have to fight, themselves.
UnaBubba, Nov 03 2004
  

       This diplomacy, does that still exist, and where can I find it?
sartep, Nov 03 2004
  

       AMAZING idea. UB, I'll have to disagree with you this time. This diplomacy you talk about only involves the leaders of such countries in the decision making process and, as we all know, since democracy is utopic concept, some good countries have bad leaders. Even if they were elected through "fair" voting, sometimes they say something to convince people into electing them and, once they are, don't stick to their promises.   

       This type of surveys would help prevent that and would help people get more involved in the actions of their country.
Pericles, Nov 04 2004
  

       //and would help people get more involved in the actions of their country.//   

       So does universal conscription.
UnaBubba, Nov 04 2004
  

       City planning?
swamilad, Nov 04 2004
  

       thought provoking +1
po, Nov 04 2004
  

       + for the noble concept that we should ask whether the oppressed masses of a despotic nation want to be liberated before their regime is changed for them. Of course, one man’s despot is another man’s hero -- perspective is everything.   

       [UB] is right about this being the essential purpose of diplomacy but I think the idea goes deeper than that. I think the idea would legitimise pre-emptive political/military interventions in sovereign national concerns. I think the proposed ballot would read: "do you mind if we violate your national sovereignty for purpose xxxx?" On those grounds, I think most of the time the answer would be “no thanks.”
Don Quixote, Nov 04 2004
  

       plus in the case of civil wars or wars between neighbouring countries it is the very existence of a nation or the validity of its borders which are at question... so who by and where is the pole made.   

       the referendum is often held up as some form of perfect democratic solution, but this is not necessarily the case.
etherman, Nov 04 2004
  
      
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