Authoritarian Olympics Should Not Be Repeated

[HorseArcher]

As the Beijing Olympics draw to a close, Freedom House urges the international community to insist on a new standard for awarding the Games, one that requires countries to be democratic and to respect basic human rights. The high human cost of this year's Olympics—hosted by one of the world's most repressive regimes—should be fully investigated and this information used to ensure that the International Olympic Committee makes more responsible host country choices in the future.

"We're just beginning to understand the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party went to systematically crush dissent in the name of the Olympics," said Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House executive director. "Behind all of the pomp and glitter, an untold number of Chinese citizens are now languishing in labor camps, prisons or simply missing as a result of these Games. The Chinese authorities and their partners at the IOC have taught the international community some painful lessons that should not be ignored."

http://www.freedomhouse.org/template...70&release=696

[attilavolciak07]

Well, China made a gamble by hosting this, other countries and organizations are going to China and now see what they are doing.

[Scar Face]

What the hell? The Government must be Democratic? Look, I'm all for Democracy- in my country- but I'm tired of all these people assuming that Democracy is a universal right of Humanity, that all Cultures, and Societies crave it and are compatible with its ideals, and that Democracy is a de facto step up from any other kind of Government.

With that being said, we really do have to pick a more responsible Government next time for the Olympics.

[Hunter Makoy]

What the hell? The Government must be Democratic? Look, I'm all for Democracy- in my country- but I'm tired of all these people assuming that Democracy is a universal right of Humanity, that all Cultures, and Societies crave it and are compatible with its ideals, and that Democracy is a de facto step up from any other kind of Government.

With that being said, we really do have to pick a more responsible Government next time for the Olympics.

i understand wat ur saying. that a Democratic government should not be a requirement, but that there should be a checks that that government respects its people and has a good record for human rights.

my question to u, and this is not a jab, just a question. wat country would you suggest, who's government would be considered more Authoritarian then Democratic, that still holds a decent human rights record and who's citizens hold a good deal of freedoms, that you would consider hosting the Olympics?

[Evil Maniac From Mars]

my question to u, and this is not a jab, just a question. wat country would you suggest, who's government would be considered more Authoritarian then Democratic, that still holds a decent human rights record and who's citizens hold a good deal of freedoms, that you would consider hosting the Olympics?

I'd say Russia (the authoritarianism of which is debateable, as the last elections did reflect the will of the people according to international observers), the United Arab Emirates (potentially, there is a lot of money there), Jordan, and naturally China.

[Scar Face]

i understand wat ur saying. that a Democratic government should not be a requirement, but that there should be a checks that that government respects its people and has a good record for human rights.

Of course.

my question to u, and this is not a jab, just a question. wat country would you suggest, who's government would be considered more Authoritarian then Democratic, that still holds a decent human rights record and who's citizens hold a good deal of freedoms, that you would consider hosting the Olympics?

I honestly don't know. Generally speaking at the moment, the more advanced the society, the more Democratic they are. I think this has more to do with Democracies influence than anything. As time went on, people heard how great particular democracies like America, France, and others were- at least compared to their garbage Monarchies- and thus saw it as the ideal Government. Over time due to both external and internal pressures, most countries either relented to Democracy [or Constitutional monarchies that are Democracies in all but name] or reacted harshly against them.

All we have to do though, is look at history to know that there are nations who aren't Democracies, but still respect their people, have a good liberal mindset towards freedom of speech, etc. At the moment there is none that I can think of, but I think its an important distinction to make between simply a nation without a Democracy, and a nation that abuses human rights. There are many 'Democracies' that are brutal towards their Citizens, and in the future we could very well see an Authoritative Government, who still pays heed to the Human rights, and opinons of its people. There is no reason to be trying to force other countries to follow our system of Government.

[Hunter Makoy]

Of course.
I honestly don't know. Generally speaking at the moment, the more advanced the society, the more Democratic they are. I think this has more to do with Democracies influence than anything. As time went on, people heard how great particular democracies like America, France, and others were- at least compared to their garbage Monarchies- and thus saw it as the ideal Government. Over time due to both external and internal pressures, most countries either relented to Democracy [or Constitutional monarchies that are Democracies in all but name] or reacted harshly against them.

All we have to do though, is look at history to know that there are nations who aren't Democracies, but still respect their people, have a good liberal mindset towards freedom of speech, etc. At the moment there is none that I can think of, but I think its an important distinction to make between simply a nation without a Democracy, and a nation that abuses human rights. There are many 'Democracies' that are brutal towards their Citizens, and in the future we could very well see an Authoritative Government, who still pays heed to the Human rights, and opinons of its people. There is no reason to be trying to force other countries to follow our system of Government.

a good piont, but an Authoritarian government that lets their citizens do as they will is a bit of an oxymoron wouldn't u say?

I'd say Russia (the authoritarianism of which is debateable, as the last elections did reflect the will of the people according to international observers), the United Arab Emirates (potentially, there is a lot of money there), Jordan, and naturally China.

no offense to UAE or Jordan, but i dont believe they would get the Olympics. good governments tho, and certainly fits the bill. China tho? certainly doesn't fit when it comes to human rights. Russia i would agree with, other then their recent ventures into Georgia

[Da Skinna]

What the hell? The Government must be Democratic? Look, I'm all for Democracy- in my country- but I'm tired of all these people assuming that Democracy is a universal right of Humanity, that all Cultures, and Societies crave it and are compatible with its ideals, and that Democracy is a de facto step up from any other kind of Government.

With that being said, we really do have to pick a more responsible Government next time for the Olympics.

He's right, guys, just look at what democracy brings about in America...

[Father Jack]

Im not suprised if people have vanished because of the Olympic games going to China. Wasnt the Olympic site once full of housing that they demolished and the people who lived there were given little or no compensation? Now Im just waiting for the China fans to come and attack me and this thread for being 'stupid and western'

With that being said, we really do have to pick a more responsible Government next time for the Olympics.

Haha well I would hardly call the British government responsible after the cockups that have occured in the last year or so.

[nameless]

More like the requirements of running the olympics are those who can actually pay the damn bill and not end up in bankruptcy.

In that case, only very few countries aside from China would be even able to host the event.

Im not suprised if people have vanished because of the Olympic games going to China. Wasnt the Olympic site once full of housing that they demolished and the people who lived there were given little or no compensation? Now Im just waiting for the China fans to come and attack me and this thread for being 'stupid and western'

It's called expropiation.

The government can reclaim land for the "greater good" if they want to and sometimes the compensation is more or less crap. The end result is the same but takes longer.

Oh and I wasn't talking about China BTW.

Needless to say China isn't exactly the first country to have drawn criticisms on their preparation for the olympic venues.

And whether you like it or not the Olympics will help Chinese athletes in the long run.

[Fluttershy]

This Olympic games had the fish man also known as Phelps to entertain me...so while it wasnt nearly the best it wasnt as bad as some seem to think imo

[Lula]

i didn't liked this olympics

[HorseArcher]

i didn't liked this olympics

It's full of controversies and some odd rulings.

[Stuntdawg5]

Although I do not agree with only Democratic countries being allowed to host the Olympics (I'm an American, but I do not see Democracy as the single greatest government) I have to agree on the Human rights issue.

A country that hosts the Olympics should be following the standard Human Right Rules that are seen around the world (Europe, America, certain parts of Asia, etc.). Regardless of what anybody here thinks, the Olympics ARE political, no matter what you think. And all the Olympics did to China is make the government put more oppression on the citizens in and around Beijing in order to try on make the Chinese Government (See I say the government) look like any civilized, modern government.

[Talbaz]

how can having a Democracy be the standard sense there are no Democracies in the world, there are a lot of Republics but no Democracies

[Mighty Sultan]

i didn't liked this olympics

Agreed

[craziii]

ehh, who cares, not like a few dumb articles would affect the IOC in anyway.

also, what don't you like about the 2008 olympics? and which olympic competition that rely on judges instead of computers doesn't have controversies every 4 years? seriously, get a grip on reality.

olympics are political? the only thing the communist gov did was raise it's flag in the opening ceremony. you know it is every country besides china that views it as political. I always thought it was stupid chinese paranoia that everyone is out to get china, your guys are really making it seem real.

[gambit]

Having to be democratic is stupid.

How about just not being communists?

[Perkele]

Beijing 2008, best olympics since 1936.

[Yuri Orlov]

I felt sorry for the little ugly girl that was the voice of the pretty girl for singing the anthem or what ever, that was nazi like, not letting the kid sing, but having a kid that can't sing but looks cuter go up.....