ADEED DAWISHA ON IRAQ

Jack sent along a link to a forthcoming article in the Journal of Democracy by Miami University political science professor Adeed Dawisha, called "Iraq: Setbacks, Advances, Prospects." PDF file here. Dawisha argues that the flourishing of such institutions as local citizens' councils and independent newspapers provide reasons for optimism. Here's a taste:

[T]he most encouraging sign for the long haul is the sheer frequency with which Iraqis are using such key democratic terms as elections, parliament, human rights, press freedom, minority rights, and the like as debates over the country’s future proceed. In the wide-ranging discourse now being heard both publicly and privately in Iraq, the need for an elected legislature and government has become almost a foregone conclusion. When it comes to the electoral process, there may be debates over timing as well as the exact methods and institutions to be adopted, but a clear majority harbors no doubt that elections are the necessary path to governance.

Dawisha is optimistic about the prospects for functioning democracy in Iraq and argues for the establishment of territorially-based federalism, a parliamentary system, and a mixed electoral system similar to Germany's -- half district elections to encourage local contact, half proportional representation to encourage the development of national parties. The piece is worth reading. I hope that Dawisha is right! See also Dan Drezner here, who posts a passage from the article on the price of hand grenades in postwar Iraq that I found pretty telling: 5 for a dollar right after Saddam's fall, up to three bucks a piece in August.