BUCHAREST: Romania is facing a fundamental question that many thought buried alongside Nicolae Ceausescu: Is it right to achieve just political ends by suspect or outright undemocratic means? Today’s question is even more troublesome: Should democratic governments stick to the rules of democracy no matter the consequences? Or can they, short of committing unconstitutional acts, take some liberties with the democratic processes in the name of honorable and necessary ends, perhaps even in the name of securing the future of democracy itself?
BUCHAREST: Romania is facing a fundamental question that many thought buried alongside Nicolae Ceausescu: Is it right to achieve just political ends by suspect or outright undemocratic means? Today’s question is even more troublesome: Should democratic governments stick to the rules of democracy no matter the consequences? Or can they, short of committing unconstitutional acts, take some liberties with the democratic processes in the name of honorable and necessary ends, perhaps even in the name of securing the future of democracy itself?