Problems of System Transformation: Lessons from the Past

As I have argued in Wolchik and Curry (2015) (PDF available here), ten problems of system transformation have hindered a smoother and more stable transition of former post-communist countries to democracy (see also Schmitter 2010): The first problem of system transformation implied the assumption that the transition from communism to democracy would have automatically led to …

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Geo-Spatial Analysis Iraq

By Alfio Cerami                                                                                        REV: 13/03/2018 This Story Map assesses the growth in …

Rebuilding Economics and the Stabilization of Iraq: Introduction

by Alfio Cerami REV: 12/12/2017 This blog project sets the framework for a new approach to economic development and reconstruction -rebuilding economics -, taking as a case study Iraq. It calls attention to the necessity of establishing synergies between economics, political science, sociology and cultural anthropology.  Close to security objectives, it emphasized the need,  of …

List of References Iraq

  Acemoglu, D. and Robinson, J. (2012) Why Nations Fail: Historical Origins of Poverty, New York: Crown Publishing Group. Al-Jazeera (2014) 'Infographic: Iraq's electoral system', Document available online at: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/infographic-iraq-electoral-system-201442983631669587.html. Almond, G. A. and Verba, S. (1963) The Civic Culture. Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations, London: SAGE Publications. Almukhtar, S. (19 May 2015) …

Challenges Ahead and De-Radicalization in Iraq

As discussed in previous blogs, as the access to the Iraqi labor market has been used over the decades as a means to ensure political loyalty, its full democratization is required. This unequal access to the labor market has not only created circles of loyalty around the state apparatus, but it has also indirectly supported …

The Social Security System in Iraq

The social security system in Iraq is based on the social insurance principle and depends on the attachment of citizens to the labor market or, when not accessible, on informal social security arrangements provided by the members of the family or the tribe. Due to the oil-based orientation of the economy, public sector employees represent …

Cultural Changes in Iraq

Civilization in Iraq dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, whose traditions influence contemporary national pride and national identity. Contrary to most countries in the Arab world, in Iraq, Sunnis are a minority, whilst Shias represent the majority of the population. Before the US intervention, Iraq had a central planned economy and, as a legacy of the past, …