The Unraveling of Iraq: Ethnosectarian preferences and State performance in Historical perspective

Author: Dawisha, Adeed

Source: The Middle East Journal, Volume 62, Number 2, April 2008 , pp. 219-230(12)

Publisher: Middle East Institute

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Abstract:

This article argues that the ethnosectarian chaos of today's Iraq is a consequence of state policies and capacity. The same ethnosectarian problems have existed since the birth of the Iraqi state in 1921. However, unlike the post-2003 period where ethnosectarianism has been institutionalized in the body politic, and where the state is unable to project power to subdue sub-state competitors, the pre-2003 period saw the state pursue nationalist policies that denigrated ethnosectarianism and had enough power to impose its will on fissiparous sub-state groups.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3751/62.2.12

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