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By Rodney D. Coates*

Balancing on the precipice of Ockham’s Razor, the world debates on whether or not it should intervene in the Libyan crises.  As we debate, a tyrant continues to bombard his citizens, but the question is can or should we –particularly in America – be doing something.  Similar debilitating discussions in America’s past to include Rwanda, Sudan, or Bosnia –resulted in embarrassed silence, isolation, and ultimately inaction.  Now, faced with the potential for massive civilian deaths in Libya –are we left with feeble  denouncements and feigned empathy but limited or no intervention?  Is it simply an issue of doing the right thing or are there more issues then immediately apparent?  Are we blinded by our own self interests or are we incapacitated by our ignorance?  If we were to apply Ockham’s razor, perhaps the simplest path to resolution is the best!

First of all it would not be prudent for the U.S. to intervene, particularly in this situation and in this geo-political quagmire.  This is clearly and most simply not the time or the place for the U.S. military to ‘flex’ its muscles and bring ‘democracy’ to the people of Libya.  The reasons are quite simple –it is beyond our ability, we do not have the resources or the wisdom, and we do not share nor understand the complex cultural, religious, and political histories of the Libyan peoples.  Given these very concrete realities, the best thing the U.S. can do is to work behind the scenes to encourage and support a African Union (AU) solution this crises.

The African Union - consisting of such countries as Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, South Africa and

Tanzania- indeed is the only global entity which has both the legitimacy and the potential for effectively remedying the Libyan crises.  The Au is also the only group which has the potential to keep the country from falling into both civil war or civil dissolution.  So it is to the AU that the world must turn to in this and other situations that will assuredly surface as we watch the unfolding of democracy across the region.

How might the U.S. and other international entities support the AU in their efforts?  Logistical, intelligence, and material support directly provided to the AU will not only enhance their mission in this immediate crises but also further its development long-term.   It is in the interests of both the U.S. and the UN that such regional collectives and solutions are promoted, if we are to ensure both democratic and sustained stability.  Ultimately, this process will allow us to balance our concerns for justice and democracy with the legitimate concerns and or fears of the Libyan peoples of U.S. imperialism. 

*Note: Rodney D. Coates is professor of sociology and gerontology at Miami University.  He can be reached at coatesrd@Muohio.edu.