Jan 7 - Democratization

1. Jan 7 - Democratization Agenda: • Reading: “Reconstruction Task Force Meets in Iraq” • Define Democracy • Conditions for Democracy Take out: • Pen/Pencil • Notebook Homework: • Read “Iraq's New, Dysfunctional Democracy”

2. Reading • Read and annotate the article “Reconstruction Task Force Meets in Iraq”

3. Define Democracy • In your pair, write a working definition of Democracy • Generally defined, democracy is “rule of the people”, what can you add to this?

4. Dictionary Definition • democracy [Gr.,= rule of the people], term originating in ancient Greece to designate a government where the people share in directing the activities of the state, as distinct from governments controlled by a single class, select group, or autocrat. The definition of democracy has been expanded, however, to describe a philosophy that insists on the right and the capacity of a people, acting either directly or through representatives, to control their institutions for their own purposes. Such a philosophy places a high value on the equality of individuals and would free people as far as possible from restraints not self-imposed. It insists that necessary restraints be imposed only by the consent of the majority and that they conform to the principle of equality.

5. Thomas JeffersonInaugural Address, March 4, 1801 • "During the contest of opinion through which we have passed, the animation of discussion and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose on strangers unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think; but this being now decided by the voice of the nation, announced according to the rules of the constitution, all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate which would be oppression. Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things. And let us reflect that having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions."

6. Questions re: Jefferson • What kind of government (democracy) did Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and founding father of the United States, envision? Explain your answer using the text. • Are there aspects of this vision that are uniquely American? Why or why not?

7. Conditions for Democracy • What conditions are necessary for a democracy to exist and flourish? • List conditions in your notebook • Which, if any of these conditions exist in Iraq?  • What challenges to democracy might Iraq face? • functioning civil institutions • free press • educated middle class • generally open economy • increased prosperity • free elections • Pluralism • respect for law • independent judiciary • rule of law • freedom from oppression

8. Rahim Franke • Read and Annotate the comments by Rahim Franke • How do his statements compare to both the conditions and challenges to democracy

9. Iraq's New, Dysfunctional Democracy • Read and annotate “Iraq's New, Dysfunctional Democracy” • Considering the other articles, be prepared to discuss how the process of implementing democracy – democratization – is going 10 years later

10. democracy • liberal democracy • illiberal democracy • Authoritarianism • hybrid regime • Things like – level of economic development and international conditions for democracy, as well as what it takes to have democratic consolidation. Most of them can be discussed using the articles but we don’t want to skip them – at least the definitions and the “democratic consolidation” pieces