Do you think it is ever right for one country to become involved in the internal affairs of another?

Sometimes, one country may not be able to handle its internal affairs and so would require the help of another. However, to judge if it is right for one country to become involved in the internal affairs of another, we have to look at the approaches undertaken by the 'outsider', as well as the best interests of the people in the country.

If intervention by the third party would cause more harm than good to the people, then it would not be right to become involved in the internal affairs of another. Sure, sacrifices have to be made before reforms and changes can be created. But if the intervention merely causes more trouble, especially since the people involved would be highly sensitive to pain, then it is not right to intervene. Take for example the 'Operation Iraqi Freedom'. As much as it was meant to be a humanitarian project, the effects did not seem to imply so. To date, peace and stability has yet to be ensured in Iraq and the country is in a big mess with the United States entangled in it. In addition, no one has claim responsibility to ensure that Iraq is peaceful and stable before America withdraws. Also, the excessive deaths caused by the operation have caught the attention of human rights group, sparking off much protests. Moreover, the large amounts of money spent on the operation had resulted in people blaming the US for not putting the money in better use. These really leave us to question if everything would be better had US not intervene. As long as more people are getting hurt and there are no justifiable benefits gained by the people in the country, it would not be right for intervention of internal affairs by another country.

On the other hand, if intervention by another country can really bring relief to the people, then it would be right to become involved in the internal affairs of another. This would usually come in time of disasters that would devastate the lives of the people. In such a situation, the people's well-being should be placed as the utmost priority, and the country should open itself to humanitarian aid. An example of a country, which needs to understand this, is Myanmar. About two months ago, a cyclone in Myanmar increased the people's misery but the regime chooses to reject humanitarian help from other countries as it sees it as political interference aimed at prising it from power. In this case, the country would be wrong if it does not oblige to intervention and put so many lives in jeopardy. The regime has to understand that it is time to oblige to humanitarian aid and allow the involvement of another country, or problems with their internal affairs will soon go out of control. Hence, in such a situation where there are justified benefits that can be gained by the people in the country, it would be right to for one country to become involved in the internal affairs of another.

In conclusion, I agree with what Jinyi said, "there is no clear distinction of right or wrong regarding a country's involvement in another's internal affairs. With pure good intentions, responsibility and the adequate receptivity of the country, it would be alright to have foreign intervention." Hence, the benefits that can be gained by the people in the country is the main determinant of judging if it is right for one country to become involved in the internal affairs of another is the benefits.