The Quest for Democracy: An Iraqi Perspective

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: South East Europe, Balkans, printed single-sided, grade: 1,3, University of Kassel, 11 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The 21st century saw the wind of democratization which has manifested itself in many countries by the holding of multiparty elections for the first time. In some parts of the world, however, there have been clear reversals for democracy as well as dramatic and massive violations of human rights. Nevertheless democracy remains a universally valid system of governance; one which needs to be backed up by constitutionally guaranteed rights. The promotion of genuine democracy and respect for human rights is not only a moral imperative; it is also the determining factor in building sustainable human development and lasting peace. Actions in support of democracy include; the right to participate in the establishment of governments through free and fair elections, make contribution to peace, security and the prevention of conflicts.The focus of this paper shall be on Iraq and its objective is, Can Democracy Be Achieved ? The suggested forms of post-Saddam Iraqi government can take would be similar to that of Afghanistan under Karzai. A consocialtional oligarchy theoretically will bring together leading figures from all the major ethnic, religious, tribal, geographic and functional groupings. It might not be a Pluralistic in a strict sense, but it includes all members from all works of life of the Iraqi society. It would represent its key elements, and the members could be expected to protect the most basic interests of their coreligionists and ethnic kin. Whether or not these groups truly represented the interests and aspirations of the Iraqi people would be largely irrelevant (Byman and Pollack 2003).More so, in relation to Byman and Pollack, support for a representative government, absent tangible support for liberal political norms and values and without the foundation of a pluralistic civil society, neither sufficient nor staying power for democracy can take root. This reality was borne out of the pas generation in numerous countries where authoritarian regimes were displaced by newly democratic regimes (Patrick Basham 2004).