LettersHong Kong protesters clamouring for democracy should know the city can’t vote its way out of its problems

The US has a long history of intervention in countries which do not elect leaders Washington prefers

The West allows democracy only when it does not challenge Western economic supremacy. It won’t be a true friend to Hong Kong

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A protester waves the American and Hong Kong flags during a march on July 21. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 7:15am, 5 Sep 2019Updated: 7:15am, 5 Sep 2019

People in Hong Kong should understand democracy does not equal self-determination.

The regional parliament of Catalonia voted for independence, but not one nation recognised it. The people of Chile voted for Salvador Allende; the CIA conspired against him and did not stop the military coup that installed the murderous dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Mohammad Mosaddegh was elected prime minister of Iran; the CIA helped return the shah to power. Abd al-Karim Qasim was prime minister of Iraq; the CIA backed Saddam Hussein. Haiti voted for Jean-Bertrand Aristide; the US turfed him out. The Arab spring became a winter of dictatorship.

Democracy is a compromise between many competing, sometimes contradictory interests: internationalist vs nationalist, right vs left, conservative vs socialist, union vs business, rich vs poor, traditionalist vs non-traditionalist, religious vs secular. That’s why nothing changes. Unless there is a consensus on very specific goals and a willingness to make sacrifices for the general good, nothing will be accomplished.

The West knows democracy makes for weak governments that are unable to stay the course and institute meaningful change. Democracy is allowed only if it does not impair Western rights and challenge Western economic, financial and political supremacy. Any move to reduce the West’s share of profit will attract sanctions and opposition – remember Cuba and Venezuela. That is why G7 leaders have issued only a short statement mentioning the Hong Kong protests. They have no interest in diverting resources from their businesses to the betterment of Hong Kong.

The West will support democracy as long as it can expand its rights and get concessions. This will not help the poor in Hong Kong, including those living in cages.