Les dynamiques du conflit irakien

In: Critique internationale: revue comparative de sciences sociales, Heft 1, S. 29-43

Abstract

The Iraqi civil war is the result of both the legacy of the former regime, & of American preconceptions. Saddam Hussein's regime was characterized by systematic deconstruction of the nation, which pushed Iraqis to retreat into the private sphere. This explains the weak capacity for political mobilization exiled political protagonists proved to have; when they returned to Iraq, they sought to monopolize resources rather than implement any political project. This general state of anomie enabled the Americans to impose their interpretation of Iraqi society, which they viewed as being divided into three ethno-religious units. Thus, the violence that was initially directed against Coalition troops quickly evolved toward conflicts between religious groups, though this must not lead us to overlook the equally significant phenomenon of the privatization of violence. The fact that the Americans have been unable to manage the transition has also undermined the credibility of democracy, eventually leading to a depoliticization of politics. Adapted from the source document.