Iraq's transition to dictatorship

[Barrett808]

Iraq's transition to dictatorship
By Michael A Weinstein

One of the US war aims in Iraq that probably will not be fulfilled is the establishment of a stable market democracy. At present, it is impossible to predict the form or forms - if the country splits apart - that a future Iraqi regime will take, but it is possible to sketch some plausible scenarios.

The obvious obstacle to democratization in Iraq is the civil disorder there, which is universally perceived and judged to be of overriding significance. It is impossible to hold credible elections in an environment of insurgency, much less to permit the exercise of civil liberties or to nurture a system of free enterprise favorable to investment. Yet concentration on the security issue in isolation from its social context attacks a symptom rather than its cause.

Insurgencies and other kinds of extralegal opposition do not occur unless a society is divided into groups with conflicting interests on which they are unwilling to compromise. Democracy requires a civil society whose members agree that they should all live together under a common system of rule making and enforcement, despite their differences on any number of particular issues. When such consensus is absent, groups whose aims are thwarted will not obey the rules of the game. That is the case in Iraq.

(more)

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FG21Ak01.html

[madrchsod]

1. isn`t the us puppet

an old henchman for saddam? didn`t he leave iraq to kill saddam`s opponents in europe? now he`s killing for us?

[Barrett808]

2. Yes, Allawi was a Mukhabarat assassin

Seems he's carrying on with the good work.

[eross]

3. Short Lived

Expect a Coup d'etat within two years. The Iraqi state defense is too weak to fight off a serious effort and this government, with very little popular support, will go fast.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi eros!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[tom_paine]

5. So Imperial Freedomstan goes, so goes Imperial Amerika

Freedomstan (foremrly Iraq) is home to so much of what the Imperial Subjects of Amerika will be subjected to during the reign of Nero and Caligula Bush.