Stabilization and Democratization of Iraq: a Strategic Analysis of the Constitution-building Process

Publisher Marketing: The National Security Strategy of the United States of America of September 2002 (NSS) aims "to help make the world not just safer but better." In order to achieve this ambitious challenge, The NSS defines the following goals on the path to progress: political and economic freedom, peaceful relationships with other states, and respect for human dignity. Operation Iraqi Freedom succeeded to free the Iraqi people of Saddam Hussein's totalitarian regime. The next challenge for the US-led coalition is to stabilize the country and to implement a durable democracy. The latter tasks seem to be the most difficult ones because Iraq has never known democracy. It is a mosaic of multiple sectarian and ethnic groups. Furthermore, it lies within the area of strategic-political, economic, and religious influence of its neighboring countries. This thesis analyses Iraq's Islamic, sectarian, and ethnic factors. Next, it examines the historical case studies of Iraq's former republican constitutions and the Afghani constitution, adopted on 3 January 2004. Finally, this thesis recommends the US administration bolster a Federal Republic of Iraq by assisting the Iraqi people, diplomatically, militarily, economically, and judicially, to constitute a freely elected government, and to draft a constitution that respects Muslim values, democracy, protection of minorities, and human dignity.