Egypt - OPINION - Building democracy from scratch is never easy

When coups advance democracy

Michael Rubin

Morsi's overthrow was a step forward for true representative 

government — one that the United States should praise

Just hours after the Egyptian army deposed Mohammed Morsi on July 3, President Obama expressed “deep concern” at the ouster of Egypt’s first democratically elected leader and reiterated U.S. support for “the democratic process and respect for the rule of law.” He instructed the State Department to reevaluate more than 1 billion dollars in aid earmarked to Egypt.

Now is not the time to punish Egypt, however. If democracy is the goal, then the United States should celebrate Egypt’s coup.

Morsi may have won an election, but he despised the democracy which propelled him to power. Rather than consult and build coalitions, he sought to dominate.

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