"Mature" democracies

Do Thais Lack Spirit for Democracy?

"There appears to be a misconception in Thailand over the past few years that democracy equals intimidation — whether that means blockading major city intersections in Bangkok and forcing the country’s commercial center to close, tossing grenades at government buildings, shutting down a major international summit attended by Asian leaders, occupying the Government House, or closing a major international airport."

Perhaps it is because intimidation is the way even the most "mature" democracies have been conducting themselves, as of late.

Because as this articles well articulates, everyone should know, by now, that intimidation isn't the way mature people and mature democracies should engage their disagreements.

Intimidation is how less mature goverments and peoples conduct themselves.

Mature governments and peoples only use force when no other means is available. Not as a rationalization for "by any means necessary" to get whatever it is that they want.

Perhaps the Thai people are watching contemporary democracies all too closely.

Perhaps they should find better role models.