It's not about institutional checks and balances more than it is about natural ones. Less income inequality, and ideally either a certain degree of homogeneity or diversity. In highly ethnically diverse countries, there's little fear of one group running everything in a democracy (like in India), while in homogenous countries, the root of harmony is obvious. It's in places like Syria, where a Sunni Muslim Brotherhood would likely completely dominate discourse if allowed to by democracy, where other groups, like the Alawites who back Assad, feel they "need" to seize power to protect themselves.

Lower income inequality helps a lot, too.

When it comes to this video as you have seen so far in this thread, it will either be ignored or the actions of the terrorists will somehow be justified. It's sad that some people here and in the west in general have not learnt from recent history. What happened in Iraq after the government was overthrown? All minorities and especially the christians were targeted and the result is that the christian population in Iraq is half of what it was pre war.

I predict that a similar or worse fate will befall the minorities of Syria. For anyone that has followed the region as well as the international political scene over the last decade or so it seems fairly obvious and it is even openly admitted that the rebellion is being financed from outside countries. Not only are sophisticated weapons being smuggled in but fighters and military advisers are also coming into the country.

From what I have observed I think that while Syria had many shortcomings, when it comes to the region it was a shining beacon of ethnic and religious coexistence. Syria is a multi ethnic and multi confessional country and sadly it is being targeted for destruction. It disgusts me to no end that while the west is making a big deal about so called democracy in Syria it is turning a blind eye to the absolutely appaling treatment of the majority shia in Bahrain and the freedoms of all the people in general that live in the gulf states.

What all this ultimately comes down to is realpolitik where because Syria refused to bow down to America and Israel and it is looking after its own national interests it is being targeted. Syria serves as the bridge for the resistance against Israel and ultimately it will be easier to take on Iran if Syria is taken out of the picture. In any case I don't see this war being contained to Syria and though I tremble at the though I think we are headed for a major regional and possibly international conflict.

May god watch over the innocent people of Syria and may he also have mercy on those that are trying to destroy it as they clearly have no conscience.

In my particular case, it's not a matter of justifying or ignoring.  I just don't know enough about what's going on over there to make an educated comment.  All I see is a video which, on its own, shows a horrible act being commited.  I don't have a clue what the backstory is. 

Where do I go to even begin to get the backstory of what's going on in that video? I'm ashamed to say that I'm totally in the dark.

@d21lewis

That's fair enough dude. Sorry I didn't mean to insinuate everyone in this thread just certain posts. Appreciate the honesty from you by the way :)

Honestly, right now there is not much point as new videos are constantly being released and it is hard to get a clear picture. One thing is for certain and that is that the state of Syria is slowly being decimated. I just pray that the country stays in one piece because if the government falls I think it's safe to say that the fallout will be catastrophic.

i'm sure that happens in many wars on both sides and the rebels do such things but the problem is i can't really say something about the videos because as example the first could be also made from assad guys killing an rebel and then the syrian television showing it as how bad the rebels are. sure there are some people in the backround but that could be still all exactly the opposite all made to get exactly what people feel when they see it. so yeah, without proof i can't really say something about it.

and i also believe situation won't be better for the world if the rebels will win and control the country.

You are so clueless and ignorant it is ridiculous. Have you not seen how Bashar Al Assad has massacred his own people?! Men, women, and children have been brutally murdered, raped, burned, and tortured. Name an atrocity and chances are they perpetrated it. What the fuck are you thinking by saying people are better off under his regime?! You are just a dumbass islamophobe who watches a couple of youtube clips not knowing who or what is in the clip, what the context is, who is getting killed, what the people that got killed did to get killed. You don't know anything man, keep your inane judgements to yourself. The people of Syria have been getting massacred for OVER A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!! Don't you think this does something to your psyche?! Don't you think many of these people have been driven to the edge of their sanity after witnessing the deaths of their loved ones and the destruction of their homes?! These people have been pushed to their limits and are trying to survive. If they see a threat (pro-Assad supporter), chances are they will try to eliminate it.

The death toll is somewhere around 20,000, is that ok to you? You think its ok for people to go on living under that kind of digusting regime? Fuck it, they are muslims of a browner shade, let another 20,000 die. You racist prick. What makes you think radical islamists will take over? Do you not think Assad's ways are RADICAL?! Just because he doesn't push the Islam agenda, doesn't make him better, HIS METHODS ARE STILL RADICAL YOU IDIOT! Fucking wake up! And stop being so scared of muslims!

THINK. JUST THINK.

anyone might have done the same thing to someone who tortured countless innocent people and among them people you love.

You seem to have gotten far too emotionally moved by these videos. Assad's forces have done the same, if not worse.

Of course this whole rebellion is the bloodier option in the short term, and the issue of Islamic extremists among the rebel forces needs to be addressed, but surely in the longer term it will be better for the 'people' to live under a government which is not totalitarian?