Dictatorships and Double Standards

Abstract

Carter’s foreign policy, emphasizing human rights, made rather unrealistic demands on America’s allies who were dictators (such as the Shah, or Somoza in Nicaragua). Democracy takes a long time to develop. Over six centuries elapsed between the Magna Carta in 1215 and the British Reform Bills of 1884 and 1885. Carter refused to support either one when civil conflict forced both out of office, and radical dictatorships replaced them.