When 8.56 million Iraqis cast their votes late last month, the
election was hailed as a historic step toward democracy in
Iraq.
But professors say religious philosophy and ethnic divisions
could strain the development of democracy.
Iraq is a predominantly Muslim country ““ 97 percent of
Iraqis are Muslims, according to the CIA World Factbook. Scott
Bartchy, a UCLA history professor, said Islam could come into
conflict with the new political system.
Bartchy said when the Greeks invented democracy, they saw it as
separate from their religion, whereas the theologies of Islam,
Judaism and Christianity include divine law.
“In Iraq, you have people who believe their god has given
instructions, and that if they follow them, the most people will
benefit,” he said. “So some are suspicious about human
intervention, like voting.”
Bartchy said some devout Muslims are suspicious of voting
because the decisions of the majority could conflict with the
Koran. He added that some associate democracy with what they see as
the failings of Western society, such as high divorce rates.
He said in order for democracy to work in Iraq, its leaders will
have to learn to promote the practical sides of their religiously
based positions in order to convince others.
In addition to tension between Iraqi politicians who want a
religious government and those who want an inclusive, secular one,
some say ethnic divisions could spark conflict.
The CIA World Factbook lists Iraq’s population as 60 to 65
percent Shiite, 32 to 37 percent Sunni and 3 percent Christian or
other.
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that a slate backed by
Shiite religious leaders won 140 of the 275 seats in the new
parliament. Kurdish parties took 75 seats, a secular Shiite party
garnered 40 seats, and the remaining 20 seats were split among nine
other parties.
John Agnew, a UCLA geography professor, said the Shiite
dominance and the low turnout of Sunni Arabs increases the danger
that Iraq could become an ethnocracy, with rule based on ethnic
dominance, rather than a democracy.
“You can’t pretend that this is like an election in
France or in Italy, because their relation with their kinship
groups, tribal groups, religious and linguistic groups are much
stronger than their association to Iraq,” Agnew said.
“Here, we think of ourselves as opinion and issue voters.
It is kind of naive to think you could have that kind of politics
(in Iraq),” he added.
Bartchy and Agnew both said that if the Shiite majority chooses
to impose religious government or dominate Iraq’s other
ethnic groups, the country could fall apart.
The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that Abdelaziz Hakim, the
leader of the Shiite coalition, said he will seek a unity
government, but Agnew said Shiites may be tempted to use their 60
percent majority for their own purposes.
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges on Iraq’s road to
democracy will be the concept of democracy itself.
Most professors agree the Iraqi election was a step toward
democracy, but they say Iraq still has a long way to go.
“One election does not a democracy make ““ especially
one with a 58 percent turnout,” Agnew said.
Raymond Rocco, a UCLA professor of political science,
agreed.
“Democracy is much more than just voting,” Rocco
said. He said democracy also has to include rights and tolerance
for its citizens if it is to be a true example of
self-government.
And he added that democracy comes in many types.
“There has to be a kind of indigenous form; it has to rise
out of a particular country’s experience,” he said.