Strategies for Promoting Democracy in Iraq
The Education program at the United States Institute of Peace has since early 2004 been involved in a project to help rehabilitate the Iraqi higher education system and to introduce courses and materials in conflict resolution and peace education into university curricula throughout the country
Summary
- Social justice and economic development are essential for democracy in Iraq to succeed.
- The idea of a democratic Iraq is not one imposed by foreign powers, but rather one that Iraqis themselves vigorously support.
- Iraq has a tradition and history of democracy that can help promote the successful establishment of a democratic form of government in post–Saddam Hussein Iraq.
- Many of the foundations of democratic governance began in Iraq's ancient Mesopotamian civilizations.
- The nationalist movement in Iraq (1908–1963) had strong democratic impulses and emphasized cultural tolerance.
- Sixty percent of the Iraqi population is under the age of twenty-five. They have known nothing but authoritarian rule and need to learn about democracy. The older generation of former democratic activists can pass on to younger Iraqis their memories and experiences of pre-1963 Iraqi society.
- The establishment of an institution devoted to democracy could spread the concept of democratic government through workshops, contests, and grants to civil society organizations.
- Citizenship and service learning programs in Iraqi universities could promote democratic principles among older students. A national reading project and essay contest could introduce younger students to democracy and strengthen the literary skills that are necessary for an informed citizenry.
- The government should use the power of the Internet to involve citizens in the democratic process and improve education. Television and radio programs, coffeehouse events, national "town hall" meetings, summer camps for youth, and emphasis on common folklore could help overcome ethnic differences and promote tolerance and unity among the diverse ethnic cultures of Iraq.
About the Report
The Education program at the United States Institute of Peace has since early 2004 been involved in a project to help rehabilitate the Iraqi higher education system and to introduce courses and materials in conflict resolution and peace education into university curricula throughout the country. We have organized conferences and workshops with academics from Iraqi universities and administrators from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and helped establish the Educational Unit for Peace Studies and Human Rights at the University of Baghdad. We have also supplied USIP educational materials in English and Arabic to Iraqi universities throughout the country. Currently, we are helping Iraqi universities play a civic role in their communities by providing university-centered projects of public education on Iraq's constitution, good governance, the rule of law, and democracy. This report is part of our effort to suggest ways to involve the Iraqi higher education system in building and promoting democratic governance in Iraq.
Eric Davis is professor of political science at Rutgers University, and former director of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies. His most recent book is Memories of State: Politics, History and Collective Identity in Modern Iraq.
The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect views of the United States Institute of Peace, which does not advocate specific policy positions.
