One of the reasons given for invading Iraq was to bring elected representative government to a nation and a people who had no experience with such a process. Supporters of the invasion would use South Korea as a comparison: A nation once subjugated by a colonial power (Japan) over many decades to build itself into a democratic country following Japan's defeat in World War II.
Korea was or had been an independent nation for more than 600 years before it was colonized by the Japanese in 1910. It had developed its own independent culture, society, language and government. Meaning they had civil society.
From the late 1950's through the end of the Saddam Hussein era Iraq was ruled by a series of repressive authoritarian governments elective representative government was, but a pipe dream at best. Saddam gained full control of the Iraqi government by 1979 even though he'd been the de facto head of state for many years prior. Like so many authoritarian rulers Saddam Hussein was seen by the West as an ally especially once Iran became an Islamic Republic. Western governments saw an opportunity: Arm Iraq and encourage them to invade Iran. Believing that with all the chaos in that country Iraq's military would soon control Iran. Eight years later with a signed ceasefire the war came to a conclusion with neither side unable to obtain a military advantage. There's even a picture of future Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein.
This background is important because of the comparisons neo-con's would make in reference to South Korea. Civil Society
Civil Society by this definition never existed under Saddam Hussein as he would see any such organization as a threat to his rule. He seem to believe that the Iraqis should be dependent upon him and only him and the government any support required in their daily lives.
Nouri al-Maliki is the current Prime Minister of Iraq having assumed office on May 20, 2006 and remains in office to this day following a second election held in 2010.
Korea was or had been an independent nation for more than 600 years before it was colonized by the Japanese in 1910. It had developed its own independent culture, society, language and government. Meaning they had civil society.
Korean history begins with the founding of Chosun (often known as "Gojoseon" to prevent confusion with another dynasty founded in the 14th century; the prefix Go- means 'older,' 'before,' or 'earlier') in 2333 BC by Dangun, according to Korean foundation mythology.[15] Gojoseon expanded until it controlled northern Korean Peninsula and some parts of Manchuria. After many conflicts with the Chinese Han Dynasty, Gojoseon disintegrated, leading to the Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea period.What is today's modern Iraq was created by secret diplomatic mission between the UK and France known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement . Talk about drawing lines in the sand that's exactly what took place as these two men divided the Middle East into spheres of influence creating nations where they hadn't existed along with combining ethnic groups previously known to have been hostile towards each other.
In the early centuries of the Common Era, Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and the Samhan confederacy occupied the peninsula and southern Manchuria. Of the various states, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla grew to control the peninsula as Three Kingdoms of Korea. The unification of the Three Kingdoms by Silla in 676 led to the North South States Period, in which much of the Korean Peninsula was controlled by Unified Silla, while Balhae succeeded to have the control of northern parts of Goguryeo.
In Unified Silla, poetry and art was encouraged, and Buddhist culture thrived. Relationships between Korea and China remained relatively peaceful during this time. However, Unified Silla weakened under internal strife, and surrendered to Goryeo in 935. Balhae, Silla's neighbor to the north, was formed as a successor state to Goguryeo. During its height, Balhae controlled most of Manchuria and parts of Russian Far East. It fell to the Khitan in 926.
The peninsula was united by Emperor Taejo of Goryeo in 936. Like Silla, Goryeo was a highly cultural state and created the Jikji in 1377, using the world's oldest movable metal type printing press.[16] The Mongol invasions in the 13th century greatly weakened Goryeo. After nearly 30 years of war, Goryeo continued to rule Korea, though as a tributary ally to the Mongols. After the Mongolian Empire collapsed, severe political strife followed and the Goryeo Dynasty was replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1392, following a rebellion by General Yi Seong-gye.
From the late 1950's through the end of the Saddam Hussein era Iraq was ruled by a series of repressive authoritarian governments elective representative government was, but a pipe dream at best. Saddam gained full control of the Iraqi government by 1979 even though he'd been the de facto head of state for many years prior. Like so many authoritarian rulers Saddam Hussein was seen by the West as an ally especially once Iran became an Islamic Republic. Western governments saw an opportunity: Arm Iraq and encourage them to invade Iran. Believing that with all the chaos in that country Iraq's military would soon control Iran. Eight years later with a signed ceasefire the war came to a conclusion with neither side unable to obtain a military advantage. There's even a picture of future Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein.
This background is important because of the comparisons neo-con's would make in reference to South Korea. Civil Society
| civil society | |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens; individuals and organizations in a society which areindependent of the government |
Civil Society by this definition never existed under Saddam Hussein as he would see any such organization as a threat to his rule. He seem to believe that the Iraqis should be dependent upon him and only him and the government any support required in their daily lives.
Nouri al-Maliki is the current Prime Minister of Iraq having assumed office on May 20, 2006 and remains in office to this day following a second election held in 2010.
Key Events During His Premiership
- Operation Knights‘ Assault (Battle of Basra) during March 2008 which aimed to restrict or eliminate criminal gangs and militias in Basra and other cities.
- Operation Um Al-Rabi’ain during May 2008 in Mosul which aimed to dismantle Al-Qaeda’s network in their Mosul stronghold .
- US – Iraq SOFA (Status Of Forces Agreement) approved on November 2008.
- In 2009, provincial elections AL-Maliki’s state of Law had the upper hand.
- Arrest warrant against Hashemi On 20 December 2011 for charges of terrorism and running death squads.
- Complete and Total withdrawal of all US forces on December 2011.
- Holding the Arab summit in Baghdad on March 2012 for the first time since 22 years.
- His stand-offs with Kurdistan’s Barzani which peaked in November 2012 and the troops deployment from both sides.
- The arrest of Finance Minister body guards In December 2012, who were accused of being a death squad committing numerous terrorist acts.
- Iraq oil production exceeding 3.2 million bpd jumping from 1.9 million in 2006 when Maliki took over. Iraq is OPEC’s 2nd biggest producer in 2012-2013.
Mr Hashemi denied the charges but fled to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq before moving to Turkey. A court found him guilty in absentia and sentenced him to death in September.
Iraq isn't the only country in the Middle East or North Africa struggling to come to terms with the end of decades old authoritarian governments which so suppressed the populations of these countries that even what we consider the simplest of tasks running an election has proven to be a monumental undertaking.
In Tunisia an Islamist party won those elections as did the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt why? Because they were the best organized of the parties which participated in the elections. Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has over the last 3 decades provide the social services one would associate with elective government and not a religious political party. WIth that in mind why wouldn't they receive the resounding electoral victory they achieved in those first truly open elections.
Representative electoral government is not something so easily accomplished just because you wished it to be so. Institutional historical perspective is important.
To many times western governments demand of people, nations and governments that which they are incapable of delivering because the building blocks for civil society and government ceased to exist long ago. When institutions of government and civil society must be built from the ground up only time and patcience can achieve what is demanded of them stable governments answerable to its electric.
To many times western governments demand of people, nations and governments that which they are incapable of delivering because the building blocks for civil society and government ceased to exist long ago. When institutions of government and civil society must be built from the ground up only time and patcience can achieve what is demanded of them stable governments answerable to its electric.
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