Difficulties of Making Iraq republican

  • News
  • Thread starter Dissident Dan
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Difficulties
In summary, some Iraqis believe that the strong family ties in the country make it difficult to create a liberal democracy, and the country's oil wealth exacerbates the problem.
  • #1
Dissident Dan
238
2
This is a thread to discuss problems associated with giving Iraq a republican (with a lower-case 'r'!) form of government. I will start with an article from the Orlando Sentinel.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/orl-aseciraqfamilies28092803sep28,0,5552355.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
...in a country where nearly half of marriages are between first or second cousins, a statistic that is one of the more important and least understood differences between Iraq and America. The extraordinarily strong family bonds complicate virtually everything Americans are trying to do here, from finding Saddam Hussein to changing women's status to creating a liberal democracy.

Iraqis frequently describe nepotism not as a civic problem but as a moral duty. The notion that Iraq's next leader would put public service ahead of family obligations drew a smile from Iqbal's uncle and father-in-law, Sheik Yousif Sayel.

"In this country, whoever is in power will bring his relatives in from the village and give them important positions," Sheik Yousif said, sitting in the garden surrounded by some of his 21 children and 83 grandchildren. "That is what Saddam did, and now those relatives are fulfilling their obligation to protect him from the Americans."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hey, there's nothing like martyring a leader to calm the Palestinian nepotism extremists.
 
  • #3
The patronage system is exacerbated by Iraq's oil wealth. In an nation with a widely diverse economic base, it is difficult to control all the various economic power structures - unions, trade associations, corporations etc. In a monolithic, oil economy, whoever controls oil has enormous power. If the Iraqi government keeps it as a state controlled industry, the government winds up with tremendous control of people's livelihood - influencing elections disproportionately. If they try to sell it off, it is almost inconcievable that it would be done without a lot of corruption, ala the Soviet Union.

They might do best making an independent government entity, somewhat like the Federal reserve here in the US, but with control of oil policy rather than monetary policy. The policy making entity would have no patronage power - no power to hire or fire, just the power to decide what should be done, set prices and production level etc. This would at least spread the corruption out a bit. Make different entities compete for the corruption, and you might even get fair practices eventually!

Njorl
 

FAQ: Difficulties of Making Iraq republican

1. What were the main difficulties in making Iraq a republican country?

The main difficulties in making Iraq a republican country were rooted in the country's history and cultural dynamics. Iraq had a long history of authoritarian rule under the Ottoman Empire and later under British influence. This led to a weak foundation for democratic institutions and a lack of experience with democratic practices. Additionally, Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious groups often struggled to find a common ground, making it challenging to establish a unified republican system.

2. How did the legacy of Saddam Hussein impact the difficulties of establishing a republican government in Iraq?

The legacy of Saddam Hussein played a significant role in the difficulties of establishing a republican government in Iraq. During his reign, Hussein implemented policies that suppressed opposition and limited freedom of speech, leading to a lack of political participation and a weak civil society. His regime was also characterized by corruption and human rights violations, which further hindered the development of democratic institutions. After his fall, Iraq faced the challenge of rebuilding and reforming its political system while also addressing the deep-seated trauma and divisions caused by Hussein's rule.

3. How did external factors contribute to the difficulties of making Iraq a republican country?

External factors played a significant role in the difficulties of making Iraq a republican country. The US-led invasion and subsequent occupation in 2003 destabilized the country and led to widespread violence and political turmoil. The lack of a clear and comprehensive plan for post-war reconstruction and governance also contributed to the challenges faced in establishing a republican government. Additionally, neighboring countries, such as Iran and Syria, have also been accused of meddling in Iraq's internal affairs and exacerbating sectarian tensions, further complicating the process of democratization.

4. What role did sectarian divisions play in the difficulties of establishing a republican government in Iraq?

Sectarian divisions played a significant role in the difficulties of establishing a republican government in Iraq. The country is composed of multiple ethnic and religious groups, including Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish populations, who have a long history of conflict and mistrust. These divisions were exploited by Saddam Hussein and have continued to be a source of political instability and violence in Iraq. The challenge of creating a fair and inclusive political system that addresses the needs and concerns of all groups has been a significant obstacle in the path towards a successful republican government.

5. How has the ongoing insurgency impacted the difficulties of making Iraq a republican country?

The ongoing insurgency in Iraq has significantly impacted the difficulties of making the country a republic. The rise of extremist groups, such as ISIS, and the persistent threat of violence have made it challenging to establish a stable and democratic government. The constant threat of attacks on government institutions and civilians has created a climate of fear and instability, making it challenging to implement democratic reforms and foster a sense of national unity. The ongoing insurgency has also hindered economic development and reconstruction efforts, further impeding the progress towards a successful republican government.

Similar threads

News Why Do Many Americans Still Believe in WMDs in Iraq?
3
Replies
77
Views
7K
News Where Did the Billions of Dollars Go in Iraq's Reconstruction Effort?
Replies
8
Views
3K
News Observation about how the parties have switched positions due to Iraq.
Replies
10
Views
2K
News Iraqis tell the reality of Iraq .
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
News Is There Really a Difference Between Democrats and Republicans?
Replies
24
Views
5K
News Free Advice to G.O.P. (about Iraq)
Replies
2
Views
2K
News Should the US intervene in world problems?
Replies
29
Views
10K
News Worse violence in Iraq in the coming weeks
Replies
11
Views
2K
News WMD-Tehran times and a li'l perspective
Replies
2
Views
2K
News Iranian University Chancellors Ask Bollinger 10 Questions
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top