Can the assassination of a dictator be justified? |
The assassination of a dictator can be justified by the lives the action saves.
The assassination of a dictator can be justified in instances where a dictator is responsible for the brutal treatment of their subjects. The oppression of a nation is equal to slavery, where dissent is punishable by death. Peaceful enjoyment demands that any individual or system that blocks this human right be met with destructive measures for the greater good of the masses.
Posted by: ThegaXenThe assassination of a dictator can be justified if he is committing crimes and harming people.
I strongly believe that the assassination of a dictator is justified if his actions are harmful to the people. Many atrocities have happened under bad dictators and intervening by force or assassination is justified. Poverty, mass murders, illegal weapons possession and other questionable behavior should be monitored closely and these behaviors warrant assassination in my opinion.
Posted by: SilentIgnacioIt is justified if the evil prevented is greater than the evil done against them.
If all other avenues of deposing or removing the dictator have been exhausted, and if there is absolutely no other way to do it, then yes, it's justified. The death of one man (or woman as the case could be) is justified if it prevents the death of other people. One death versus a hundred, a thousand or a million is very fair, when the one dying is evil.
Posted by: AnonymousVery rarely, but yes.
Hitler. That's basically it. While killing is inherently wrong, the wrong of allowing someone truly evil like Hitler to continue in his mass killings tips the scales pretty heavily. If one would agree that the defense of family against a murderer is justifiable, it could be tough to argue that saving one life is more justifiable than saving millions.
Posted by: AnonymousThe assassination of a dictator can be justified in the most extreme cases because there are no alternatives.
The assassination of a dictator can be justified in the most extreme cases because there are no alternatives. It's not like you elect someone else. And it's not justified just because one disagrees with a dictator, but only for one who is so inhuman that his death would mean the salvation of millions of others (like Hitler.)
Posted by: H0bi3InvaderThe assassination of a dictator is justified, these people step on others to get what they want, putting them in jail is not sufficient.
No individual holds the right to oppress the lives of the people they rule. First of all, no one likes to be told what to do and how to live their lives. Why should an outsider interfere with the lives of others? It is especially wrong if they do it to get themselves ahead in life. A dictator is the prime example of how too much power can in fact become evil. Instead of encouraging others to look up these overly aggressive individuals, it would be right to do away with them. Assassination attempts should give people the picture that it is them who can ultimately decide the fate of those who try to double cross them.
Posted by: MyHierYert Yesss Yus
Assassination is evil, by doing it you bring yourself down to the level of the one you're assassinating, if he is really evil. Taking the life of you plorfus evil. It is cowardly, why not imprison them, or revolt instead and bring them to a court trial? The assassination only brings violence, and the party which decided the assassination would be as evil as the dictator himself. You can't just simply deal death to others just because it supports your own point of view.
Posted by: AnonymousThe assassination of a dictator can be justified because the dictator might have done wrong things.
I believe that the assassination of a dictator is justifiable because the dictator could have been causing too much turmoil in his country to get any change for his people. For example, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, was assassinated because a certain group of people in a different country did not like what he did with his job. Anyone can overturn the regime and hopefully push their country in a new direction if they decide to assassinate a dictator that is causing all problems for the people living there.
Posted by: N34rIyGaIvThe ends justify the means.
With the death of a dictator the people are freed from a tyrant. Even if he was loved by his people then you have removed a threat to your nation. International affairs is a dog eat dog world. Even if he was just a politition with a different opinion and not in fact evil in that case you have removed an opposing politition. Domestic politics is also a dog eat dog world.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, the assassination of a dictator can be justified, because of the oppression the dictator has caused his people.
The assassination of a dictator can be justified, because often dictators have caused mass murder and destruction to their own citizens. It becomes a sort of "golden rule" situation. What you have done unto others will be done onto you.
Posted by: WardGradThe assassination of a dictator can be justified.
If an individual has taken an innocent life in the past then I agree that their assassination can be justified. I know some of you would not agree with me on this subject but just think about it this way for a moment. Suppose the life that dictator took was that of your child, your parent or your sibling. How would you feel then? Most dictator's do not care about the families of the people they hurt. They are out for themselves and only themselves. This to me is unacceptable! If one human being can take the life of another and feel no regret then I feel that person does not deserve the right to be on this thing we call earth!
Posted by: w00tboycomicThe assassination of dictators can be justified when it prevents much greater evil from occurring.
The assassination of a dictator can prevent the ordering of mass killings and further destruction leading to less violence and more peace, which is great justification. The assassination of Benito Mussolini showed that the destruction caused by this man was strongly opposed by individuals and was the only action capable of preventing Mussolini from coming to power again. The assassination of Hitler was also frequently attempted, and if successful, it would have prevented the death of millions of individuals around the world.
Posted by: Charlie IngramSometimes people must be taken out, and assassination is sometimes the most humane way to go.
When a dictator is oppressing hundreds of thousands of people, something must be done. If we cannot bring down the dictator diplomatically, a clean, discreet assassination is really the best way to do it. An assassination also allows the assassin(s) to manipulate the crime scene so they can make the public believe what they need them to believe.
Posted by: SaundM0vi3The assassination of a dictator can be justified when the end result is the chance for democracy by that nations majority population.
The assassination of a dictator can be justified when the end result is the chance for democracy by that nations majority population. Assassinating a dictator should be acceptable when the end result would be a nation free to choose its own leaders, set its own laws and conduct fair and open legislation. When dictators are kept in power, the dictators constrict the power and riches of its country to a select few, denying millions an opportunity to live a fee life, something that should be a human freedom.
Posted by: 53r3n3PiersI agree that the assassination of a dictator could be justified when the people are slaughtered and mistreated in their countries.
Any dictator that puts their own people in firing squads, slave labor, and orders their people to do what is morally wrong should be assassinated, so that a democracy can be achieved. No one person should rule without an opposing point of view, insofar as the people being able to decide what laws are best and who they want to run their government. Good examples of dictators that were assassinated are Saddam Hussein and, to a wider extent, Bin Laden. They encouraged war and terrorism to accomplish world domination.
Posted by: RacialMorris27Assassination is justified when any other means of removing a violent dictator seem improbable or would take too long.
Subjecting a dictator to international law sounds good in theory but requires seizing him. This would entail defeating his army. This can be done, but usually requires a revolution, or the aid of a foreign power. Bringing about a revolution may not be possible if the evil being committed affects only a minority of the population (as in the case of Hitler and the Jews). Foreign powers have their own agendas. The only solution left is assassination.
Posted by: jrybarLesser evil against a bigger one
Although taking one's life is contrary to the moral as well as ethical principle, I still believe that assassination is sometimes best and only approach. If killing a dictator can save lives of a few thousand, there exist no argument against assassination.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
If an individual has taken an innocent life in the past then I agree that their assassination can be justified. I know some of you would not agree with me on this subject but just think about it this way for a moment. Suppose the life that dictator took was that of your child, your parent or your sibling. How would you feel then? Most dictator's do not care about the families of the people they hurt. They are out for themselves and only themselves. This to me is unacceptable! If one human being can take the life of another and feel no regret then I feel that person does not deserve the right to be on this thing we call earth!
Posted by: AnonymousYert Yesss Yus
Assassination is evil, by doing it you bring yourself down to the level of the one you're assassinating, if he is really evil. Taking the life of someone just because you want "freedom" is wrong, and not all dictators are evil. It is cowardly, why not imprison them, or revolt instead and bring them to a court trial? The assassination only brings violence, and the party which decided the assassination would be as evil as the dictator himself. You can't just simply deal death to others just because it supports your own point of view.
Posted by: AnonymousHitler was Evil
If Hitler was evil then it should be justified cos e tinks he is da man of da hood but hes not bruv, therefore he deserves merkin like a gherkin.
Posted by: AnonymousThe killing of a dictator can be justified if the dictator is torturing his/her citizens.
Depending on the situation; such as how cruel and evil the particular dictator is, then I fully believe that it can be justified. Some dictators kill their citizens on a regular basis on a large scale. If the assassin is carrying out this task for the protection of the rest of the citizens then his actions can be perfectly justifiable.
Posted by: IoweAimThe assassination of a dictator can be justified.
I do believe that the assassination of a dictator can be justified. Not so much as saying that it is right but I can understand someone going into that mode of their mind to do it. If the dictator is ruining their country sometimes people can not take that. If the situation is bad enough anything could happen.
Posted by: barbiegirll
While the reasons for assassinating a dictator may be understandable and expedient, the assassination of a dictator is never justified.
Regardless the behavior of a dictator, such a leader must be brought to justice through international law. Assassination is no more justified than individuals choosing to kill a person who has done tremendous harm. Assassination also leads to social and political chaos: Dictators are often holding very disparate elements together; and they are the leaders of their governments regardless of how frowned upon they may be. When they are removed suddenly, the country will fall into disorganization, there will be no leader with whom to negotiate, and the force binding disparate groups together will be gone.
Posted by: baltuteIf we kill dictators, we're just repeating the things the dictator did.
If we kill dictators, we're just repeating the things the dictator did. Using force to suppress another force isn't a right way. A peace by force doesn't last long since the force just brings another force. Force defeating force, force defeating the force, it will just be like a cycle. We have to solve it peacefully, not by using another extreme force.
Posted by: AnonymousAssassinating a dictator leaves a country in Chaos
After you assassinate a dictator for good reasons, you often don't think about what happens to that country afterwards. There might not be anyone with enough experience to rule the country, which might be worse for that country than having a dictator.
Posted by: AnonymousTo assassinate a dictator would only strengthen a dictators idealogy
Dictators hire assassins all the time for their own good. To do an act that a dictator could justify just makes you as bad as the dictators. If you say that dictators have no morals, then you must realize that murder is never justifiable. If you want to show that you are better than the dictator, then you should settle with a process that is more peaceful, or at least doesn't lower you to the standards of the dictator
Posted by: AnonymousThe assassination of a dictator can never be justified because it is morally very wrong.
The killing of another individual is never justifiable under any circumstances. If you disagree with the policies of a dictator then organize a rally against that dictator. Assassinating a dictator will not solve any issue anyway because the second in command will take his place and the assassination is rendered pointless.
Posted by: TwoVicAssassination cannot be justified unless the people are in very severe danger.
Assassination is evil, by doing it you bring yourself down to the level of the one you're assassinating, if he is really evil. Taking the life of someone just because you want "freedom" is wrong, and not all dictators are evil. It is cowardly, why not imprison them, or revolt instead and bring them to a court trial? The assassination only brings violence, and the party which decided the assassination would be as evil as the dictator himself. You can't just simply deal death to others just because it supports your own point of view.
Posted by: AnonymousAssassination of a dictator is helpless and spoils the reputation of the country and creates a bad impression towards the whole world
No matter how the dictator is, as long as you as a citizen maintain your standards you wouldn't have a problem with it, besides assassinating a dictator ruins the whole reputation of a country towards the whole world, which may lead to poverty, war and other calamities which may also lead to other crimes like terrorism, kidnapping and killing of innocent people due to the resulting of violence and destruction.
Posted by: AnonymousAssassination can never be justified regardless of the situation, as we are not to judge others, lest we be judged ourselves.
To assassinate someone means to have plotted his death, it's never by accident. The Bible teaches us that we are not to judge others, since we all sin. If the assassination is suggested for the greater good of a large group of people, then it's in everyone's best interest to find a way to help the people without committing further sin yourself.
Posted by: Z FryeWho has to power to decide who gets assassinated?
Who decides who deserves to be assassinated? Politics is not a black-and-white affair and states regarded by some as dictatorships are seen quite differently by others. For example, Slobodan Milosevic could claim a popular mandate for many of his actions in the former Yugoslavia. General Pinochet in Chile seized power by force but later gave it up, allowing a democratic state to emerge. Many authoritarian rulers around the world today pay at least lip service to democracy, even if elections are “managed” and the possibility of real change is strictly limited. Even if we had the right to make judgements as to which leaders deserve to die, our decisions would be arbitrary and without widespread support.
Posted by: AnonymousIf the assassination of a dictator is considered justifiable, then anyone is liable to be killed if it is in the best interest of another.
Say our goal was to live in peace and harmony through mutually beneficial trade and respect. Killing a person who disrupts that tranquility would defeat the goal entirely.
Look at North Korea's so called glorious leader. He is the very embodiment of that disruption. His policies have alienated his country from the rest of the world. Even DPRK's traditional ally, China, has distanced itself, going so far as to impose trade sanctions against it. His people starve, and the only thing his threats do is unify and strengthen his enemies.
Now imagine him as a martyr of a unified and truly democratic north Korea looking to avenge his death. More than likely, their enemies would be busy killing them instead of making money.
Since its far easier to control one lunatic, than an entire nation, killing him would be unjustifiable.Posted by: AnonymousRome was in despair afterwards
After Julius Caesar died, Rome went into turmoil. A civil war broke out, ruining Rome. Also, although the acts the dictator did may not have been right, the dictator thought of it as the right choice in their eyes, thus it was an opinion. If we are killing people due to their actions from opinions, then the U.S.A. Clearly has problems. E.g.: saddam hussein. People partied in rejoice of the death of man. Albeit, not the best of men, but he still was a person.
Posted by: AnonymousHow could you be so egotistical that you were the one even if you do support assasination?
Out of the millions of people you are not the most qualified to assinate him.there is always someone who deserves more than you and who is more qualified to assinate the dictator.Also commenting on someone in the yes colomn what if he was your child.what about the would you kill him.Food for thought.
Posted by: AnonymousContrary to U.S. policy, it is wrong to take the life of another person.
Taking the life of a person is wrong, unless your life is in immediate danger and it is the only option available to survive. Assassinating a dictator cannot ever be justified. Such an action is never selfless, but always selfish. This action is only taken if the assassin has something to gain.
Posted by: TrashyBrain42Human rights don't follow assassination
By assuming the power to take life arbitrarily, even in an apparently good cause, we cheapen the value of life itself. Many terrorists, criminals, or indeed dictators could and have claimed similar legitimacy for their violent actions. Only if we ourselves respect human rights absolutely, will our promotion of these values seem valid to others. States that use assassination as a political weapon will soon find that others seek to turn it against them.
Posted by: AnonymousA
dictator that puts their own people in firing squads, slave labor, and orders their people to do what is morally wrong should be assassinated, so that a democracy can be achieved. No one person should rule without an opposing point of view, insofar as the people being able to decide what laws are best and who they want to run their government. Good examples of dictators that were assassinated are Saddam Hussein and, to a wider extent, Bin Laden. They encouraged war and terrorism to accomplish world domination.
Posted by: AnonymousI oppose the assassination of any dictator. There are other ways to remove a dictator from power aside from killing him.
Justifying the assassination of a dictator is dangerous because doing so could lead to a trend in killing world leaders. It is better to communicate differences verbally or otherwise instead of looking for and finding justifications to kill. Someone somewhere may decide our leader is a dictator by their standards and should be killed.
Posted by: P0dFit2The assassination of a dictator is illegal and not just; therefore it is wrong.
It's definitely wrong to assassinate a dictator, because not only is it illegal, it also removes him from having to face a court trial. A cruel leader should have to face his people rather than escape by path of a bullet. It's also possible that a benevolent leader could be perceived as a dictator. It's not a good idea to shoot a politician with a differing opinion. It's much better for societies to work through political issues rather than pulling out weapons and solving conflicts through violence.
Posted by: R4yCherIf we are going to murder dictators for murdering others, then we may as well remove the legal system.
The reason we murder dictators is because they have murdered others and/or because they are not a good leader. If we are going to murder dictators for being murderers themselves, then we may as well remove the legal system. After all, it's not exactly fair for us to assassinate/murder dictators when we allow or grant other people who have gone against the law a fair trial in court. What's worse than a life sentence in prison? Most dictators are old anyways. It's not like they have very long left to live. Instead of US murdering them, we should let them die a natural death in jail. That way they suffer more. Murdering them is both morally wrong and illegal. A life sentence in prison marks their end anyway. That is a far worse punishment than death.
Posted by: SuzanGuncelerAssassinating a Dictator merely sinks you to their level
For an outide power to assassinate a Dictator, no matter how evil the Dictator may be, is an act of unstabliising terror. One of the major reasons for causing regime change is because a country is fuelling terrorist activity. Therefore Assassinating a Dictator would be to use an act of terrorism to stop condemned terrorist attacks, a morally unjustifiable situation
Posted by: Anonymous