Iraq: People, History, Politics (Hot Spots in Global Politics series) - Hardcover
The removal of the regime of Saddam Hussein and the reconstruction of the Iraqi state were critical components of US foreign policy towards the Middle East in the aftermath of 9/11. It was hoped that Iraq, free from the oppression of Saddam's tyranny, would be transformed into a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. Iraq has indeed been transformed, but into a zone of instability.
With Saddam's regime no more, Iraq has turned into a morass of competing ethno-sectarian political and social forces, in stark contrast to the views expressed by Western and Middle Eastern commentators alike before the US-led invasion, who commonly believed in the strength of Iraqi nationalism. Why did this fragmentation occur? Have Sunni-Shii tensions always been present? Are the Kurds seeking secession, or accommodation within the state? What has been the social and political impact of years of dictatorship, war and hardship? And why have US attempts to restructure the Iraqi state resulted in Iraq being on the verge of becoming a failed state, rather than the first democratic domino in the Middle East?
In this timely new book, Gareth Stansfield explores these questions and frames them in an analysis which takes into account Iraq's diverse society, and the geopolitical interventions of regional states and great powers. He concludes with an assessment of Iraq since the removal of Saddam.
With Saddam's regime no more, Iraq has turned into a morass of competing ethno-sectarian political and social forces, in stark contrast to the views expressed by Western and Middle Eastern commentators alike before the US-led invasion, who commonly believed in the strength of Iraqi nationalism. Why did this fragmentation occur? Have Sunni-Shii tensions always been present? Are the Kurds seeking secession, or accommodation within the state? What has been the social and political impact of years of dictatorship, war and hardship? And why have US attempts to restructure the Iraqi state resulted in Iraq being on the verge of becoming a failed state, rather than the first democratic domino in the Middle East?
In this timely new book, Gareth Stansfield explores these questions and frames them in an analysis which takes into account Iraq's diverse society, and the geopolitical interventions of regional states and great powers. He concludes with an assessment of Iraq since the removal of Saddam.
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Book Description:
The removal of the regime of Saddam Hussein and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Iraqi state were critical components of U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East in the aftermath of 9/11. It was hoped that the Iraqi people, free from the oppression of Saddam's regime, could put aside their differences and transform the country into a 'beacon of democracy' in the Middle East. Why is it that a state which, on paper, would seem to have immense potential, became a pariah, deemed to be a threat to its own people, or to its neighbours? Can the answers be found in the peculiar psychological make-up of particular political leaders, or are there structural weaknesses inherent within the construct of the state itself? What is the social, political and economic impact on the people of this tortured state of years of war, deprivation and hardship in addition to existing under the oppressive totalitarian regime of Saddam Hussein? In this timely new book, Gareth Stansfield explores these and other pertinent questions, and frames them in an analysis which takes into account Iraq's diverse society, and the geopolitical interventions of regional states and great powers which have contributed to the tortured political development of Iraq. He concludes with an assessment of Iraq since the removal of Saddam, and what may be in store for the people of this tragic country in future years.
About the Author:
Gareth Stansfield is Lecturer in Middle East Politics at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPolity Press
- Publication date2007
- ISBN 10 0745632262
- ISBN 13 9780745632261
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages262
- EditorSchott Gareth
- Rating
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Iraq: People, History, Politics (Hot Spots in Global Politics series)
Published by
Polity Press
(2007)
ISBN 10: 0745632262
ISBN 13: 9780745632261
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Hardcover
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fair. Heavy bumping to spine ends and cover edges. Creasing to covers. Interior pages are clean. Year 2007. 262 pages. Seller Inventory # CORV-BBC-0K59063
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