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Farewell Faleh Abdul-Jabar Iraqi Sociologist on Tribalism, Baathism/Pre-Saddam Democracy

What was Iraq before 2003?


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Arguing that Iraq experienced a half-century of democratic rule before Saddam Hussein rests primarily on the political framework established under the Kingdom of Iraq from 1921 to 1958. During this era, the nation operated under a constitutional monarchy featuring an elected legislature and a relatively free press, laying the groundwork for multiparty political competition. [1, 2] 

The basis for this argument relies on several key historical and political elements:
  • Constitutional Framework: The Iraqi Constitution of 1925 established Iraq as a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature, consisting of an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives. [3] 
  • Multiparty Elections: Between 1925 and the fall of the monarchy in 1958, Iraq held ten general parliamentary elections. These elections facilitated a multi-party system with competing factions, political parties, and independent voices, even if heavily influenced by the British and royal court. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 
  • Active Civil Society: Despite being a newly formed state, the Hashemite period fostered an active political culture. Intellectuals, labor unions, and a vibrant press engaged in fierce debate, reflecting diverse secular, nationalist, and communist viewpoints. [2, 8] 
  • Legislative Precedence: Iraq’s foundational political machinery—including a formal parliamentary tradition, ministerial accountability, and electoral rolls—took shape during this period, establishing a precedent of civilian legislation that predated the military dictatorships of the later 20th century. [3, 8, 9, 10, 11] 
However, this period is also heavily scrutinized by historians who point out that true, uninhibited democratic rule was not fully realized. Critics note that elections were frequently manipulated by the ruling establishment to ensure compliant majorities, the monarchy and British advisors often held ultimate veto power, and vast swaths of Iraq's diverse ethnic and sectarian populations lacked genuine political enfranchisement. [4, 5, 8, 12, 13] 
Following the overthrow of the monarchy in 1958, Iraq transitioned into a series of military dictatorships and Ba'athist regimes, which were subsequently solidified under Saddam Hussein in 1979. [2, 14] 

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