The impact of the democratic system on Iraqi society under the 2005 constitution

Abstract

The democratic system is no longer a recent phenomenon, even after 20 years since the constitution was written, as the Iraqi constitution established the principles of democracy and the political system based upon them. However, its implementation was not as envisioned, due to the social nature, ethnic and national diversity, and the political transformation of 2003. The application of the democratic system had a negative impact on society, widening the social gap and increasing the number of sub-identities and non-national affiliations, both internally at the tribal level and externally at the regional level. Through elections, democratic representation and freedom of expression were not achieved in the manner intended by the democratic system, and the partisan, nationalist, and sectarian character began to expand within Iraqi society. However, the numerous practices of the democratic process, whether through elections or broader political participation, have contributed to the acceptance of the idea of the peaceful transfer of power and the understanding of the true concept of democracy at the social and political levels