Political Values as Essential for Democratic Consolidation: The Democratic Failure of Contemporary Iraq

Abstract: This thesis proves that the political culture of Iraq has possessed a major obstacle for the country to consolidate the new democratic regime, established after the overthrowing of the authoritarian Baath-regime in 2003. More specifically, it tries the theories of recognized scholar Larry Diamond, strengthening his interpretation that the presence of liberal norms and values among the people is central for a democratic regime to consolidate. For that reason, this thesis form a contribute to the 60 years long academic controversy about what ultimately matters for democracy to emerge and successfully consolidate. In order to prove these facts, this thesis resorts to a 2006 survey over political norms and values in Iraq, performed by the recognized organization World Values Survey. In this research, the answers have been distinguished for the three main ethnic groups of Iraq; Shiites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds. By presenting the results of 25 interesting value questions, this thesis reveals the political divisions between these groups that have made it impossible for them to consolidate a common democratic regime.