The Iraq Invasion at Twenty: Iraq’s Struggle for Democracy
Brief about:
Journal Article (2023)
Written by:
This research tries to assess Iraq’s attempt to democratise away from the shadow of the U.S. invasion.
I wanted to invite academics, policymakers, and others working on Iraq to stop viewing the country through the lens of the invasion and start assessing it as an independent country that has been operating normally for the past few years.
For years, people approached Iraq through the lens of it being so poisoned by the invasion that anything that comes out of it must be linked to the past in some way. So any bad outcomes are immediately attributed to the invasion period, and any good outcomes are disregarded because it would seem as though you are trying to make an excuse for the invasion. This is particularly true of academics who can’t really deal with Iraq without the shadow of the invasion hanging overhead.
This research was important to conduct, especially on the 20th anniversary of the invasion, which was a good time to take stock of where the country was going. Additionally, given the recent social unrest in Iraq, like the 2019 protest movement, it was a good opportunity to pause, take a look at the country’s institutions, its hopes for democratisation, and what obstacles stand in the way. This allowed me to give an accurate assessment of what things might look like going forward.
Key findings
- Electoral integrity: Elections do occur regularly, which is significant.What it means
However, how free and fair they are varies over time. But the last election, in particular, was noted to be more free and fair than the previous one.
- Freedoms of speech and assembly: While Iraq still outperforms most states in the region in this regard, its record here is mixed at best.What it means
Although foreign journalists are allowed nearly unrestricted access to interview officials and citizens, local reporters have a much harder time. There are freedoms for civil society and speech, but they have been infringed upon in the last few years.
- However, the use of Baath-era laws to prosecute individuals for criticising state officials expanded under the premiership of Mustafa al-Kadhimi (2020–22) and continue today.
- Political elites have carved out subnational zones of control in which it is difficult for locals to criticize them publicly.What it means
For example, civil society activists in Basra expressed greater concerns about criticizing armed groups than did their counterparts in Baghdad and Najaf.
Proposed action
- The first step is an honest assessment of where we are and where we want to be
- If we aim for a consolidated democracy, the next steps are to build on whatever good we already have and try to protect whatever is on the decline
This involves ensuring that elections continue to occur on a regular basis, developing a parliamentary opposition, allowing a new political class the space to grow, and ensuring the continued protection of freedoms of speech and assembly.
Helpful resources
- BackgroundThe Democracy Paradox PodcastIn this episode, this research paper is discussed in more detailVisit resource ↗
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to KPSRL
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The Iraq Invasion at Twenty: Iraq’s Struggle for Democracy
Cite this brief: Alshamary, Marsin. 'The Iraq Invasion at Twenty: Iraq’s Struggle for Democracy'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/the-iraq-invasion-at-twenty-iraqs-struggle-for-democracy/
Brief created by: Dr Marsin Alshamary | Year brief made:
Original research:
- Alshamary, M., ‘The Iraq Invasion at Twenty: Iraq’s Struggle for Democracy’ 34(2) (pp. 150–162) https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.2023.0024. – https://muse.jhu.edu/article/886940
Research brief:
This research tries to assess Iraq’s attempt to democratise away from the shadow of the U.S. invasion.
I wanted to invite academics, policymakers, and others working on Iraq to stop viewing the country through the lens of the invasion and start assessing it as an independent country that has been operating normally for the past few years.
For years, people approached Iraq through the lens of it being so poisoned by the invasion that anything that comes out of it must be linked to the past in some way. So any bad outcomes are immediately attributed to the invasion period, and any good outcomes are disregarded because it would seem as though you are trying to make an excuse for the invasion. This is particularly true of academics who can’t really deal with Iraq without the shadow of the invasion hanging overhead.
This research was important to conduct, especially on the 20th anniversary of the invasion, which was a good time to take stock of where the country was going. Additionally, given the recent social unrest in Iraq, like the 2019 protest movement, it was a good opportunity to pause, take a look at the country’s institutions, its hopes for democratisation, and what obstacles stand in the way. This allowed me to give an accurate assessment of what things might look like going forward.
Findings:
Electoral integrity: Elections do occur regularly, which is significant.
However, how free and fair they are varies over time. But the last election, in particular, was noted to be more free and fair than the previous one.
Freedoms of speech and assembly: While Iraq still outperforms most states in the region in this regard, its record here is mixed at best.
Although foreign journalists are allowed nearly unrestricted access to interview officials and citizens, local reporters have a much harder time. There are freedoms for civil society and speech, but they have been infringed upon in the last few years.
However, the use of Baath-era laws to prosecute individuals for criticising state officials expanded under the premiership of Mustafa al-Kadhimi (2020–22) and continue today.
Political elites have carved out subnational zones of control in which it is difficult for locals to criticize them publicly.
For example, civil society activists in Basra expressed greater concerns about criticizing armed groups than did their counterparts in Baghdad and Najaf.
Advice:
The first step is an honest assessment of where we are and where we want to be
If we aim for a consolidated democracy, the next steps are to build on whatever good we already have and try to protect whatever is on the decline
- This involves ensuring that elections continue to occur on a regular basis, developing a parliamentary opposition, allowing a new political class the space to grow, and ensuring the continued protection of freedoms of speech and assembly.