Quote Originally Posted by Dayuhan View Post
I still don't see how we're supposed to "empower self-determination", in any specific terms. Western diplomats urging reform will have about as much impact as an online petition. These rulers don't give a damn what Western diplomats say; they never have. They've heard the refrain so many times they could sing it in their sleep. It has no impact at all.
Absolutely right. Populations are looking for signals of the degree of backing that authoritarians have--polite complaints in private have zero effect.