The importance of oil to the democratisation process in post-Saddam Iraq

Abstract

This thesis examines the effect of oil revenues on the democratic process in modern, post-Saddam Iraq. In reviewing the relevant literature on the links between oil and democracy in general, research shows that most scholars adhere to the theory that the presence of large amounts of oil in underdeveloped countries hinders the development of democratic institutions, procedures and active participation on behalf of the population. As some researchers have maintained, oil can be describes as a “Curse”. However, prior to adopting this theory, the thesis examines the variables present in the situation of modern Iraq. For example, these include not only the abundance of oil but also the presence of Islam with its combination of religious and secular authority and its internal instability due to Sunni-Shia disputes, a history of dictatorships and political oppression, foreign intervention and an underdeveloped economy. The thesis concludes that, while oil is indeed a strong factor in hindering the development of democracy due to the fact that it renders government independent of taxing the population and facilitates a patronage system both antithetical to the democratic process, oil exists in a context of other negative factors such as the joining of religious and secular authority and the lack of industrialisation.