Political obstacles and their impact on Iraqi political reform after 2011
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64184/ajlps.V3.I2.Y2026.737-757.368Keywords:
Iraq, political reform, quota system, political parties, corruption.Abstract
The issue of political reform in Iraq is of great and profound importance, as the country’s experience since 2003 represents a unique case in the history of contemporary political transitions. It has transitioned from an authoritarian, one-party system to a pluralistic, federal democratic system under complex circumstances marked by foreign occupation and regional interference. Despite its constitutional achievements—including the holding of periodic elections and the peaceful transfer of power—the political reform process in Iraq continues to face numerous internal and external obstacles that have prevented it from meeting citizens’ demands and thereby transforming into a functioning state governed by the rule of law. These obstacles are multifaceted, affecting all aspects of the state; which affects social stability and contributes to a state of reform stagnation. Foremost among these obstacles are the lack of political will among the ruling elites, the poor performance of both formal and informal political institutions, the prevalence of financial and administrative corruption, and the dominance of sectarian and political quotas across all sectors of the state.
References
sources
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9. Ministry of Planning. The Ministry of Planning announces the results of the socio-economic survey of families in Iraq, showing a decrease in the poverty rate to 17.5%, compared to 20.05% in 2018. 2025. https://mop.gov.iq/archi
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