Iraq Constitution-Making: What Happens Now?
Iraq Working Group
Following the January elections, many in the Iraqi and international communities had high hopes for the constitution-making process.
It presented an opportunity to bring Sunni Arabs back to the political table; an opportunity for Iraqi communities to express their ambitions and desires; and an opportunity to consolidate, permanently, the democratic revolution that Iraq is undergoing in the midst of violence. It also presented an opportunity for the UN to re-engage in Iraq. After intense negotiations that forced a week's delay, the permanent constitution is due to be completed on August 22, 2005.
- What does the constitution-making process tell us about the chances for stability and democracy in Iraq?
- What are the next steps in the process?
- Will any constitution be a real social compact, or an elite bargain?
- What are the prospects for a constitution to be implemented?
- Can Kurdish and Shia regionalism be reconciled with Iraqi nationalism and national interests? Can Iraqi women, secularist and members of Iraq's many ethnic and religious minorities find a place in the new Iraq?
- How have Iraqi politics been changed through the process? What new leaders have emerged?
- How well has the international community supported the process?
- What does the process tell us about emerging Iraqi identities?
- How important is a constitution anyway?
Speakers
- Rend Francke, The Iraq Foundation
- Neil Kritz, U.S. Institute of Peace
- Jonathan Morrow, Participating by phone from Baghdad, U.S. Institute of Peace
- Paul Williams, American University
- Daniel Serwer, Vice President and Director, Peace and Stability Operations
U.S. Institute of Peace, Moderator
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