Description
This research critiques the consociational approach in Iraq, arguing that focusing only on inter-group power-sharing neglects crucial intra-group dynamics, particularly within Iraq’s Shia majority. By enforcing a homogenous identity on a diverse group, the Muhasasa system has fostered rivalry and undermined democratic representation. Through Critical Discourse Analysis of elite speeches and interviews, the study highlights that consociationalism's failure lies not in its performance but in its rigid framework, which doesn’t account for evolving identities. The research concludes that abandoning Muhasasa, rather than reforming it, would foster a more stable democracy based on competition for public services and citizen rights beyond sectarian lines.
