- 10 Jul 2012
IRAQ’S DEMOCRATIC UNCERTAINTY: MISGUIDED DEVELOPMENT
ABSTRACT
Thus far democratization in Iraq has failed. While many argue that this development is irreversible, it is largely due to the West’s insistence on top-down government reform. This has been exacerbated by blatant obstacles, such as the sectarian cleavage between the Shi’i and Sunni Muslims, whic present crucial challenges to democratic transition. International investments made to equip the Iraqi government owith the tools necessary to become a legitimate entity have in fact diverted efforts to establish prerequisites that would have aided in state building. Since Iraq has been marked by failure, a fundamental shift in strategy should be considered. This presentation will endeavor to show that attaining democracy in Iraq is still plausible through a bottom-up approach.
About the Speakers
Ginga Elbel recently attained her post-graduate degree from the S. Rajaratnam School for International Studies, where she focused much of her research on the sustenance of Iraq and the justification of Palestinian statehood. While she was born in the US, she was raised in the Middle East, giving her an innate cultural awareness. She later became a cultural and political advisor in Iraq from 2007-2010, during which she advised US generals serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her work with them dealt with addressing matters such as Iraqi governance, cross-border relations and civic conflict & development. Through her undergraduate studies Ms. Elbel focused on penological rehabilitation and worked at a terrorist rehabilitation facility in Taji, Iraq. She now wishes to conduct field research on on penological rehabilitation in Arab countries and its potential for reintegrating outcast members back into society.
Event Details
Tower Block Level 2, Bukit Timah Campus
National University of Singapore
469A Bukit Timah Road, Singapore
259770
