Building Democracy in a Multi Ethnic Society: A Case Study of Iraq, 2003-2010

This project paper tries to shed some light on the factors which have affected the process of building a democracy in Iraq from 2003-2010. The first of those factors is the legacy of the past 1920-2003 where the political system was based on domination of one ethnic group. The second factor is the military insurgency and the threat of terrorism which tried to use Iraq as a base to achieve their goals which is to defeat the United States of America and The third factor is the regional factor especially the political rivalry between the United States and Iran to gain influence in new Iraq. The paper also puts spotlight on the progresses and achievements which have been gained by the Iraqi people on the way of building democratic system in Iraq. Which is establishing a democratic system based on sharing power among the major three ethnic groups in Iraq that is the Arab Shia, Arab Sunni and the Kurd. The adoption of the federal system in Iraq is also discussed.