During the cold war. In an effort to stabilize nations and keep newborn democracies from coming under communist control. Military dictatorships were created to protect the young nations from communism. Yes, military dictatorships can lead to an abuse of power by the dictator. But the full intention of this negative liberty was that the dictator is to be removed from power at the fall of communism. Once the dictator is removed it is the reaction of the people of the nation as to whether negative or positive liberty is to be the course of action. In the case of Iraq, attempts to institue positive liberty were undermined by severe economic and religious divisions. The only course to pursue is that of negative liberty. This course of nation building does take longer and requires the people of that nation to choose for themselves what kind of democracy they wish to have. It is not up the us to tell them what to do or how to do it for that will result in a seemingly stabile democracy at first but would soon crumble. It is the model of nation building that has been in practice for over 100 years. It has had about a 90% success rate and yes there have been some failures like Iran, Venezuala, Bolivia, Nicaragua. But these are now nations that choose their own course. I do think that the people of Iraq need to stay there and take the responsibility of building their nation for they ae the only ones that can do this for it to be genuine. Overcoming old monarchies, kingdoms, empires, and dynasties is the core of nation building. But the freedom given to the people is what we have to accept as true freedom for them to choose their own course and not interfere with their freedom to choose. Negative Liberty does take longer, Positive liberty works the best but does require the people of those nations to make it possible. It just takes time and liberty requires patience for all the people of the earth.

I was very curious to know -- the delightful phrase "negative liberty" as a name for US-imposed tyranny in other countries -- was that your own demented invention, or can it be traced to some right-wing bloggers, neocon think-tankers, Weekly Standard writers, and/or your favorite college professor? Please, name your sources. Don't make me get out the waterboard. Tell all.