Are there any laws /alliances to intervene or stop dictators rising in the 21st century ?

[hayesmfc1]

- what laws stand in the world today that are against dictators and what would happen if somebody rose up Europe for example, what would happen ?

[Buenchico]

Dictators (and those with dictatorial tendencies) usually need to exert force against those who oppose them. That increasingly seems to result in them ending up before International Tribunals in The Hague. Those tribunals are set up by the United Nations (either collectively or through the Security Council) under Common Article Three (and Additional Protocol II) of the Geneva Conventions.

[Andyvon]

Hayes -

'Dictators' invariably come to power by using the existing infrastructure of their respective nations. They then change the rules to make themselves more powerful.

An excellent example is the European Union who now dictate 80% of all the UK's laws. In the 1971 Referendum the British people voted to join the Common Market or EEC - which was a simple trading club of a few West European states. The EEC was then quietly changed to the EC and then the EU. The British people would never have voted to join the EU as it is now. Yet the laws have now all been changed saying that we can't even leave!

Was not one of the reasons we fought the last World War not to be dictated to from Europe and have a foreign language imposed? Yet it's now the law that we have no borders and British weights and measures are illegal and anyone using them will go to prison! Then they strut about at the Cenotaph wearing poppies!

Already there's the office of European President. It's not hard to leap from there is it? Just a few more law changes over the years. all "voted for by member states" etc.

[THECORBYLOON]

Andyvon I think you're a wee bit awry on the facts There was not a vote to join the EEC in 1971 or any other year. The UK joined the EEC in 1973 and there was a referendum in 1975 on whether the UK should REMAIN in the UK

[THECORBYLOON]

...or remain in the EEC even...

[THECORBYLOON]

"Was not one of the reasons we fought the last World War not to be dictated to from Europe and have a foreign language imposed? "

Churchill was a supporter of European unity.

[Andyvon]

Yes, 1973 Corbyloon. The Referendum was to stay in the EEC but my point was that it morphed into the EC, then the EU and the electorate would not have voted for that.

Perhaps Churchill was an advocate of European integration, but I can't imagine he would have agreed with the EU. Wasn't he also one of the greatest advocates of eugenics - and the British Empire?

[Buenchico]

Hmmm, Andy.

A 'United States of Europe', with France and Germany being called upon to lead? That sounds remarkably like the EU to me!

Here's what Churchill said:
http://www.churchill-....org.uk/astonish.html

And what's wrong with eugenics, anyway? It's the logical way forward for our species.

[Andyvon]

That might elicit some responses Chris!

He seems to say that we should fall quietly in behind a "morally dominant" France and Germany. Then he says that all member states should have an equal voice. As much confusion then as now perhaps?

[Buenchico]

I'm definitely a Europhile but even I would have to agree that there appear to be certain inconsistencies in WC's speech ;-)

[rojash]

There are many Internationally agreed laws to prevent abuse of power. Unfortunately the possession of such power usually prevents enforcement of the laws (e.g Illegal invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan by US and UK, Illegal building of settlements in Palestine by US-backed Israel).