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The Failure of the Social Contract in Iraq: Iraqi Perspectives

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>8/08/2023
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding
Issue number4
Volume17
Number of pages19
Pages (from-to)415-433
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date19/05/23
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

This article focuses on the failure of the post-2003 social contract in Iraq. It relies on extensive primary data collected in all of Iraq's 19 provinces through Focus Groups and Online Surveys. It develops an analytical framework based on five core elements (corruption, services, security, economy, and governance), that can be applied to the assessment of the state of a social contract. The article argues that the steady decline of the social contract has fuelled Iraqis' resentment and discontent with the ruling elites and inspired their calls to move beyond sectarian divides towards addressing the most pressing issues facing Iraq.