Iraq: Statehood in Catastrophe

Abstract

This chapter, as a study of sovereignty in terms of the applicability of the Western-sovereignty concept and the political consequence “hybrid sovereignty,” observes how Iraqi sovereignty has been limited, or has failed, in different fields. The discussion in chapter 1 clarified the meaning of “sovereignty crisis.” As did the chapters on Kuwait and Jordan, this one focuses on analogous issues such as citizenship, tribalism, and domestic authority. How domestic boundaries (state-society boundaries) are limited by certain facts will be analyzed. But, since such issues refer to a very complex set of other issues, how domestic boundaries are limited or violated by official tribalism, the religious split, and the Kurdish problem will receive attention. The discussion in chapter 2 has already given an account of Iraq’s history, so this chapter can concentrate on the case studies that yield important clues about the particular nature of sovereignty crises in the Iraqi context. In other words, the scrutiny will be fixed on the major fields that breed typical sovereignty crises. This will allow a clear view of how important pillars of sovereignty are violated. On the basis of the conclusions drawn from each case, the current situation in Iraq will be categorized as the transformation of sovereignty crisis. Observations about how historical problems continue today will accompany this categorizing project.