Case Study: Iraq (2003)
Overview
In 2003, the United States and allied forces invaded Iraq, removing President Saddam Hussein after decades of authoritarian rule marked by repression, violence, and war. The invasion was justified in part as a means to promote democracy and regional stability.
What Happened
Following the fall of Saddam’s regime, the Coalition Provisional Authority disbanded the Iraqi military and pursued aggressive de-Baathification policies. These decisions removed large numbers of civil servants, security personnel, and administrators from public life, creating widespread unemployment and institutional collapse.
Democratic Outcomes
The resulting power vacuum fueled sectarian violence, insurgency, and prolonged insecurity. While Iraq eventually held elections, they occurred under foreign military presence and persistent violence, undermining public confidence and political legitimacy. Armed groups, including those that later evolved into ISIS, exploited weak institutions and social fragmentation.
Key Lesson
Iraq illustrates that removing a dictator does not equal building democracy. When institutions are dismantled without inclusive, locally driven reconstruction, elections alone are insufficient to produce stable, representative governance.