Iraq Politics and Economy - Essay Example

17 November Iraq Politics and Economy Historically, the republic of Iraq was known as Mesopotamia. It’s located in the near East bordering Kuwait. During the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the British (Cuhaj 524).It is a country where ethnicity plays a crucial role in politics. The two predominant sects of Islam, are the Shiite and the Sunni, and the two major ethnic groups are the Arabs and the Kurds, who have been a part of Iraq`s national composition (“1900-2000: Iraq timeline,” libcom.org). In his opinion, Al- Zubaidi stated that, for more than a hundred years the Americans had an interest in controlling Iraq (134). The historians explain that, they had an interest in controlling Iraq because of its strategic position. This was because of the discovery of the oil in the year 1925 (Al- Zubaidi 134). In the year 1900, Iraq was under the dominancy of Turkey, but it was a weak empire and the British later control Iraq. After the First World War and the Second World War, Britain took full control of the Iraq because of its geographic location and it was the bridge between India and Britain, and hence it reduced the chances for the Americans to take control of the region. During the 1920, Iraqi Sunnis controlled the politics of Iraq (“1900-2000: Iraq timeline,” libcom.org). Iraq gained its independence in 1932, by compromises with the Britain and it became a member of the League of Nations (Russell 76). It became a republic in 1958, but it was ruled by a stronghold of military until 2003 (Cuhaj 524). Saddam came to power in 1968 (Al-Zubaidi 135), as a young man who had the intention and the courage to rule over all the Arab nations. The new Government of Saddam dealt harshly with individuals and groups that had threatened to rival the regime of Ottoman Empire, which had threatened national security. In 1979 Saddam became the center of power, chairman of the revolutionary council (Russell 77).There was no region in today`s world where domestic and international politics have been more personalized than the Middle East. The independent state of Hijaz was created to compensate Hussein Ibn Ali, for instigating `Arab Revolt` against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War (“A history of Iraq,” history.ac.uk). Between the year 1918 and 1958, a majority of the Iraqis were separated from the political process, because the process failed to develop procedures for resolving internal conflicts, other than the rule of decree, and also the formative experiences of the post-1958 political leadership around opposition activity, decision making and government activity The country also lacked the root of national political institution, political power and it had been monopolized by small elite members, who are often bound by close family or tribe. The leadership of the monarchy was overthrown in 1858, hence the emergence of Saddam Hussein. Iraq`s history is a chronicle of conspiracies, coups, countercoups and fierce Kurdish uprisings. In 1975, several treaties were signed hence beginning a period of stability. Saddam Hussein achievements and Iraq prosperity, however this didn’t survive for long (“A history of Iraq,” history.ac.uk). The region of Iraq is widely known with its important role in the world history. The world`s agricultural revolution took place in the mountains of Tigris- Euphrates river valley. The new technique of grain agriculture wasn’t immediately adapted to the river because of the flooding. Iraq`s economy was viewed as a heavy dependant on oil exports, and its emphasis on development through central planning. With the outbreak of war in Iran in September 1980, Iraq`s economy prospects were bright. However, during the Iran-Iraq war, Iraq’s foreign reserve was depleted, hence devastating its economy and the country was left saddled with foreign debts of more than $40 billion. In August 1988, oil exports gradually began to increase with the construction of new pipelines, and the reconstruction of damaged facilities (“Iraq: Economy,” msu.edu). Iraq`s economic crisis was as a result of the Baath regime military, economic and political policies, which resulted the economy to reach a dead end with no way of recovery. The reason for the crisis was the regimes decision to go to war with Iran. The war induced an economic crisis that was deepened by the Government`s erratic economic policies, neglect of agricultural and industry sectors, its corruption level, and mismanagement (Alnasrawi 118). Iraq`s economic crisis was also caused by the regimes failure to honour its promises, that the living standards will be improved after the war. The economic crisis was also a direct effect of the bankruptcy on the Iran-Iraq war. The Kuwait invasion of August 1990 damaged the military action by an international coalition in January and February of 1991, and neglected its infrastructure hence devastating the economy again (“Iraq: Economy,” msu.edu). Government policies diverted the Government income to key supporters of the regime and large military and internal-security in 1995. The United Nations created a program the Oil-for-food; to temporary provide to humanitarian needs for the Iraqi people, because they had gotten affected due to the continued sanctions regime. The action taken by the military of the United States led a coalition to disrupt the central economic administration structure. Since then the rebuilding and enhancement of oil and utility of infrastructure proceeded steadily, despite the attacks by key economic facilities and internal security issues. Iraq is currently in the process of establishing laws and institutions needed to make policy, which will help in the economy. Iraq`s economy has remained dominant due to the oil sector, which currently provides about 90% of the foreign exchange earnings (“Iraq: Economy,” msu.edu). The Government has overcome significant financial, technical, and infrastructure constraints to achieve stated goals. Iraq is seeking to pass and implement laws to strength its economy, which includes the hydrocarbon laws that seek to encourage the development of the oil and gas sector, and revenue sharing law. Since 2003, Iraq has received foreign assistance to reconstruct Iraq (“Iraq: Economy,” msu.edu). Iraq has recorded agriculture as the primary economic activity. The agricultural sector is the second-largest source of jobs in the country after the public sector, and it’s the second largest contributors of the gross domestic product after the oil and gas sector (“Iraq: Economy,” msu.edu). Despite its geographical location, agriculture production is below its potential. The obstacle of agricultural development, most of which existed during the Ba`ath regime in 2003was as a result of competition, outdated technology in plants and animals, fertilizer, irrigation, drainage system, farm equipment, and inadequate and unstable market. Since 2003, the US Government has promised to improve the well-being of the Iraqi population through the development of Iraq’s agricultural sector; the United States modernized the agricultural practices (“Iraq: Economy,” msu.edu). In conclusion, Iraq was historically known as Mesopotamia. Iraq became a sovereign state in 1932, and became a republic in 1958. It was formerly colonized by the Britain, but the Americans had a great interest with Iraq because of its geographic location. There are two predominant sects in the country, the Shiite and the Sunni and there was a composition of two major ethic groups the Arabs and the Kurds. The political dynasty of Iraq started with the Ottoman Empire that ruled under the British control, after Iraq became a sovereign state, Saddam Hussein took charge of the country and he ruled Iraq, after the decline of the monarchy family. Iraq has enjoyed an economic boost because of its oil production. That was until Iran-Iraq war that resulted to the country`s bankruptcy. The wars that Iraq fought resulted to the worsening of the economy. Until today Iraq`s economy has not yet improved. Works Cited Alnasrawi, Abbas. The Economy of Iraq: Oil, Wars, Destruction of Development and Prospects, 1950-2010. Westport: Green wood press, 1994. Print. Al-Zubaidi, Karim M.S. Iraq a Complicated State: Iraq`s Freedom War. Central Milton Keynes: Author House UK Ltd, 2010. Print. Cuhaj, George S. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues 1961-Present. I8th ed. Lola: Krause Publication, 2012. Print. Institute of Historical Research. “A history of Iraq.” history.ac.uk. November 2009. Web. 17 November 2012. Michigan State University. “Iraq: Economy.” msu.edu. 2012. Web. 17 November 2012. Russell, Malcom B. The Middle East and South Asia 2012. 46th ed. Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, 2012. Print. U.S. Library of Congress. “History.” countrystudies.us. n.d.Web. 17 November 2012. “1900-2000: Iraq Timeline.” libcom.org. May 2000. Web. 17 November 2012. Read More