HELPING OUT PALIN #2

This is the second in a twenty part series. Click here for an explanation.

#2 Is Iraq a democracy?

This is a difficult question to answer. Was the United States a Democracy before the voting rights act passed in 1965? According to the criteria that political scientists apply to contemporary nations, no. But most (white) Americans think it was.

I would classify Iraq as an emerging Democracy, with two things that prevent it from being a full Democracy, both relating to the concept of legitimacy, because as procedural concerns go (a constitution, regular elections, civilian control of the military, etc), Iraq certainly qualifies.

1. Domestic Legitimacy - Incomplete Popular Acceptance of the Government.

From time to time the Sadrists or the Sunni or even the Kurds openly defy the central government, often militarily. You can't have Democracy without near-universal popular acceptance of the government's legitimacy even if you disagree with the government.

A good example is the U.S. election of 1800. The Federalists lost the election and actually gave up power without a fight — a peaceful transition of power from one party to each other, which was only possible because both sides regarded the authority of the election above their partisan concerns. Iraq cannot become a Democracy until all sides are stakeholders in the government, win or lose.

2. Foreign Legitimacy - No Monopoly of Force

Whatever else may be the case in Iraq, a government isn't legitimate if it doesn't control its own territory. Currently, Iraq is occupied by the United States, which maintains a monopoly of coercive force in the country.

By definition, Iraq cannot be a Democracy until we leave.