The Failure of Democracy in Iraq

Religion, Ideology and Sectarianism
1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-1-138-33778-7
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 236 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 526 g

Reihe: Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Democratization and Government

The Failure of Democracy in Iraq studies democratization in post-2003 Iraq, which has so far failed, due mainly to cultural and religious reasons. There are other factors, such as the legacy of the dictatorial regime, exclusionary policies, the problem of stateness, interference by regional powers, the rentier economy and sectarianism, that have impeded democracy and contributed to its failure, but the employment of religion in politics was the most to blame.

The establishment of stable democratic institutions continues to elude Iraq, 15 years after toppling the dictatorship. The post-2003 Iraq could not completely eradicate the long historical tradition of despotic governance due to deep-seated religious beliefs and tribal values, along with widening societal ethno-sectarian rifts which precluded the negotiation of firm and stable elite settlements and pacts across communal lines. The book examines how the fear in neighbouring countries of a region-wide domino effect of the Iraq democratization process caused them to adopt interventionist policies towards Iraq that helped to stunt the development of democracy. The lack of commitment by the initiator of the democratic process, the United States, undermined the prospects of democratic consolidation. This is compounded by serious mistakes such as de-Ba’athification and the disbanding of the Iraqi army and security apparatuses which caused a security vacuum the US forces were not able to fill.

The Failure of Democracy in Iraq is a key resource for all students and academics interested in democracy, Islam and Middle East Studies.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Alkifaey, Hamid

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Demokratie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Studien zu einzelnen Ländern und Gebieten
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Stadt- und Regionalsoziologie
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Regionalwissenschaften, Regionalstudien

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction 2. Methodology 3. Liberty and Democracy 4. Democratization 5. Religion and Politics 6. Political Islam and Democracy 7. Use of Religion for Political Purposes 8. Sectarianism 9. Lack of Democratic Tradition 10. Political and Administrative Errors 11. Exogenous Factors 12. Structural Factors 13. Conclusion Appendices Bibliography

Über Autor(innen)

Hamid Alkifaey is a writer, novelist and journalist. He has published hundreds of articles in English and Arabic over the years. He worked at BBC in London until 2003 when he returned to Iraq to join the Government. He held senior positions in international institutions. He specializes in democratization and writes and lectures on Middle Eastern issues.