The role of political statements in implementing U.S. democracy promotion policy in Iraq Cover Image

Rola oświadczeń politycznych w implementacji amerykańskiej polityki promowania demokracji w Iraku
The role of political statements in implementing U.S. democracy promotion policy in Iraq

Author(s): Ewelina Waśko-Owsiejczuk
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, International relations/trade, Geopolitics
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego
Keywords: US; Iraq; democracy promotion; authoritarian regime; political statements

Summary/Abstract: Along with the enactment of the Iraq Liberation Act in 1998, the US authorities has intensified its efforts for democracy promotion in Iraq, using various methods (negative and positive) and instruments (including military, economic, political). The article analyzes the political statements released by the US government in the context of the Iraqi authorities. The analysis covers the period of 1998–2017, largely referring to the rule of three White House administrations — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, due to the fact that during this period the US government used (to varying degrees) political statements with the purpose of impacting political change in Iraq, including the political system and the formation of the government. The article addresses the following research questions: what impact have the US government’s political statements had on political transition in Iraq? Can statements be an effective tool in the implementation of the democracy promotion policies abroad? The research process focuses on verifying the thesis that the political statements of the different White House administrations formulated in the context of the Iraqi authorities had not only an informative function, but also a propaganda, persuasion and pressure function, effectively influencing the political change process in this country. The results of the conducted analysis indicate that political statements can be an effective policy tool for promoting democracy, exerting a significant influence on the political process in another country. In conclusion, it was emphasized that it is not insignificant with this case study that the addressees were the authorities of a country that is described as a hegemon, which significantly affects the possibilities and scope of influence of the United States of America on the international system.

  • Issue Year: 45/2024
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 57-80
  • Page Count: 24
  • Language: Polish
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